Can You Get a Degree In Prison?
Prison education has been a practical approach for decreasing criminal recidivism and increasing economic possibilities for those serving jail terms and former prisoners transitioning back into society. However, education chances in jail are still very few. It is even tricky for prisoners who want to pursue a college degree. This is because there are a variety of practical barriers, including severe restrictions on access to financial assistance that prevents them from accessing education.
Additional challenges include low staffing, lack of educational materials and technology, and the movement of inmates between institutions. Inmates may also be hesitant to engage in the educational programs due to previous educational failures or a lack of desire.
On average, those entering prison systems throughout the globe have lower educational levels than the general public. Prisoners who can obtain an education and earn a degree may significantly enhance their chances for a better life in the future. They can improve their literacy skills hence increasing employability chances. It is important to note that prison education is not just a way for inmates to pass the time.
What Necessarily Does Prison Education Entail?
Prison education has a variety of categories, ranging from basic literacy and vocational instruction to rehabilitation, physical education, and the arts. It also includes programs that enable or even compel inmates to seek a GED or high school equivalency. Other programs provide offenders with access to college courses, either onsite or through correspondence. However, a great majority of these education programs are delivered onsite by qualified instructors at both state and federal prisons.
Importance of the Educational Programs
Educational opportunities for offenders create obvious and verifiable benefits by providing them with access to practical training and academic degrees. Post-secondary education may lead to more job possibilities in the future and a rise in earning potential.
Inmates who complete a GED are less likely to relapse into criminal conduct or face imprisonment in the future. The recidivism chances are even less likely among individuals who complete a college education. This is because education and degree completion may help reduce some of the social causes of criminal behavior and imprisonment, such as economic hardship and racial disparity.
The advantages of prison education go beyond the individual prisoners. The neighborhoods become safer and vibrant due to lower rates of recidivism. Additionally, education helps decrease the prison system’s financial load on the shoulders of taxpaying American citizens.
Earning a GED While in Incarceration
A GED or high school diploma is a requirement for prisoners with intentions to pursue a degree. The Center for American Progress reports that just 18 percent of prisoners have a GED in comparison to more than 41 percent of the United States population, which has a high school diploma. As such, acquiring a GED is an essential step forward for many prisoners.
Alternatively, some prisoners may qualify for an introductory remedial course like literacy training or an English as a Second Language (ESL) program. The ESL is for inmates who are not fluent or native English speakers.
Literacy or ESL programs are a requirement for all federal prisoners without a GED or a high school diploma. Hence, the Federal Bureau of Prisons requires these prisoners to complete a minimum of 240 hours of literacy instruction or until they earn their GED.
The prison administration often uses onsite courses to enable the running of most of these programs. Alternatively, mail-in correspondence classes may also be beneficial in obtaining an online high school diploma or GED. However, studies indicate that prisoners are less likely to complete their degrees via the time-consuming and inconvenient mail-in method.
Online GED programs provide a great deal of convenience and accessibility for ex-offenders who are just getting started in a new chapter of their life. This may be particularly beneficial for individuals going through parole programs, those who have travel restrictions, and those who are juggling new duties in transitional job situations.
Obtaining a College Degree during Incarceration
One of the most significant obstacles facing inmates who want to continue their education is a lack of reliable information about the correspondence programs accessible to them. After all, inmates in the United States are nearly entirely barred from using the internet. As a result, individuals often enlist the assistance of family and friends in searching for appropriate educational opportunities online. As such, this article is here to ease your search struggles.
An IHEP study indicates that between 35 and 42 percent of correctional institutions provide some kind of access to Post-Secondary College Education (PSCE) programs. Similarly, the Center for American Progress notes that just 34 percent of state jails provide college-level courses. As such, these reports indicate that these programs serve only six percent of the prison population.
There are a number of reasons ascribing this poor rate of penetration. For instance, many prisoners lack basic academic abilities or are working toward a GED. However, restrictions on access and cost are also significant barriers to post-secondary educational opportunities for those in prison.
The limited access issue is exacerbated further by the cost. Inmates usually face an even more difficult uphill struggle due to a lack of available financial assistance. Even worse, only 1% of total Pell program money went to prisoners as of 2018.
What Are The Chances of Getting a Degree in a Federal Prison?
The information above is usually applicable to federal prisoners as well. The Federal Bureau of Prisons does offer access to publicly-funded vocational and employment training programs for detainees. There are also expectations that these programs will expand and improve for federal prisoners since the passing of the Prison Reform Act in 2018. Some conventional college-level courses are available, although the federal prisoners are responsible for covering the majority of the costs of their own education.
Online Degree Studies for Prisoners
Prisoners’ internet access has severe restrictions preventing them from achieving their full potential via online post-secondary alternatives. Nonetheless, some prisons provide a limited internet connection to prisoners through the Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System (TRULINCS). It’s a restricted type of online access that enables federal prisoners, as well as those in certain state prisons, to connect with personal connections in the outside world. The system does not allow for the provision of other diverse activities due to strict limitations.
Sending and receiving emails via TRULINCS is a subscription service with restricted online access. As such, this option does not offer access to educational services, such as online courses or online college degree programs.
This limitation on the use of TRULINCS is a missed opportunity. Coming up with a way to allow inmates to undertake full online education may change the lives of countless people in prison and brighten their prospects for the future. The greater accessibility and flexibility resulting from online education when it comes to the specific requirements and challenges that prisoners face can be particularly advantageous.
The Institute of Higher Education for Prisoners (IHEP) reports that about 71000 inmates are undertaking post-secondary education. However, only a small number of this population are on track to get a degree as most of them usually quit.
Can Inmates Get Access to Student Loans and Financial Assistance?
Student assistance is an essential component of college education for many students in the United States. There is the availability of need-based grants and federal student loans to assist students in financing their studies. However, individuals with certain criminal records may be ineligible for some of these grants.
Every individual’s circumstance is unique. However, felony convictions may prevent you from receiving federal student assistance funds in most cases. It is important to note that majority of inmates do not qualify for Pell Grants. The only exception is a limited group of prisoners who have participated in a number of Pell Grant experimental projects.
Nonetheless, anybody with an interest in furthering their education must begin by completing the FAFSA application form. This worksheet will assist in determining your student assistance eligibility. This form may also be an inmate’s way into a pilot program if he/she meets the eligibility requirements.
It is common for first-time applicants to get a rejection on their application. However, you may be able to file an appeal upon application rejection. It is important to note that there is a particular way of indicating your qualifications while filling the form. Hence, an applicant must collaborate with prison officials and college staff to successfully complete the FAFSA process.
Eligibility for Convicts of Certain Offenses
It’s worth noting that convicts of sex crimes are ineligible for federal student assistance. This applies to both who are in prison and on parole.
The limitations on eligibility for most ex-offenders grow less difficult after prison release. The main exception to this rule is drug offense ex-convicts. The eligibility of these individuals is usually under suspension with a chance for reinstatement upon:
- Completion of an authorized drug rehabilitation program.
- Passing two unannounced drug tests under the supervision of the drug rehabilitation institution.
Removing these restrictions on assistance eligibility for nonviolent criminals may help to enhance access and combat recidivism trends. The IHEP report suggests for government to design policies that make financial aid for needy inmate students more available.
Types of Educational Programs and Courses that Inmates Can Undertake and Graduate
Education and training programs that are state and nationally recognized are available to all inmates. This includes even those under protective custody or in management units. Such programs and courses include:
- Certificate of General Education for Adults
- Transport and logistics
- Asset maintenance.
- Information technology.
- Hotel and hospitality.
- Building and construction.
- Engineering
- Licenses (forklift and Construction Induction Card)
- Business management
It is the Prison Education System’s responsibility to identify the programs that it believes are the most accessible and accommodating to the requirements of prisoners. The following institutions have undergraduate correspondence programs for inmates. The programs have a specific designation to meet the requirements of inmates seeking higher education:
Adams State University
ASU provides a wide range of certifications, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees. These programs are all completely accessible via correspondence education. Moreover, the institution is under the recognition of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. However, the courses are expensive for average students. Each course costs about $500, each taking 12 months for an inmate to complete it. There is also the availability of certificates in legal courses. Other certifications include degrees in business administration, English/liberal arts, history, interdisciplinary studies, political science, and sociology.
Colorado State University at Pueblo
The Distance Education Program at Colorado State University is another excellent alternative for students in prison. However, their degree options are a bit limited. Mostly, the institution gives inmates a chance for bachelor’s degrees in social sciences and sociology. Learners roughly take six months to finish each course, each costing about $500. The institution is a popular school of higher learning for inmates as the social science programs play a vital role in reintegrating into society.
California Coast University
California Coast University lacks regional accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. As a result, their courses may not be transferable to other schools and universities. A surprisingly wide variety of certificates, associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees are available to inmate students via mail from the school.
California Coast University is an institution that places a strong emphasis on distance learning programs. However, the lack of accreditation is a source of concern and suspicion.
University of Ohio
The Correctional Education Program at Ohio University is a fantastic resource for inmates who want to take degree courses via mail. However, there has been a significant reduction in the university’s course offerings in recent years due to budget constraints. Notably, the institution is regionally recognized by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It offers a variety of associate and bachelor’s degrees. However, its offerings are more restricted than those offered by ASU and CSU. Students have eight months to finish each course, which costs about $1,000 per course.
The above study costs are an indication that college education is still way expensive to inmates. Those without grants or support from family members end up not partaking in any of the courses due to the high costs.