Providing prisoners with educational
opportunities reduces recidivism and saves society money. It is cheaper in the long run than
re-incarcerating offenders who have not received an education. Educating a prisoner in New
York costs an estimated $2,500 per inmate annually. Incarcerating one individual costs approximately
$25,000 annually. A study on prison college education found that every dollar spent on education
resulted in $1.71 in reduced crime costs. The cost-benefit of reducing recidivism is realized
as soon as prisoners who have received an education while in prison are released. There is
the benefit of these individuals obtaining work, paying taxes, and contributing to the general
economy. Rather than increasing costs to the taxpayer, educating prisoners offers both financial
and societal benefits.
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