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Reducing Inmate Misconduct and Prison Returns with Facility Education Programs (2017)

Amanda Pompoco, John Wooldredge, Melissa Lugo, Carrie Sullivan, and Edward J. Latessa

The provision of GED programs and college classes to prison inmates may help to reduce levels of violence during incarceration, thus, providing safer facility environments for both inmates and staff. GED programs, college classes, and vocational training/apprenticeship programs may also help offenders to refrain from returning to prison, perhaps by providing knowledge and skills that enhance their employability in desirable jobs after release. The absence of comparable findings for inmates who started but did not complete these activities, however, underscores the importance of completion, providing incentive for state policy makers and correctional administrators to encourage inmates to complete these pursuits.