College for Criminals

[sanantone]

I don't think this will do anything to help recidvism rates at all. Have you ever worked with convicted criminals trying to get them a job that paid more than minimum wage? It doesn't matter what education, training or skills these guys have, no one wants the liability of hiring an (ex?)offender.

The article says this.

This is not a bleeding-heart cause. Leading conservatives and red-state politicians have supported prison college programs as a matter of public safety and fiscal prudence. A RAND meta-analysis of 58 studies concluded that inmates who participated in these programs were 43 percent less likely to return to a life of crime; even assuming that the most redeemable inmates are the likeliest to sign up, this is an incredible return on a modest investment. Moreover, wardens and prison guards believe such programs lower the explosive tensions in prison.

And links to this.
http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pub..._RR266.pdf

It's not easy, but there are ways to get around bias against felons. Those trained in the trades can go into business for themselves. Oftentimes, blue collar employers are willing to give felons a second chance. There are many substance abuse counselors who are former drug addicts and alcoholics. My county has had a defense attorney nominated as the Democratic candidate for DA twice. Even though he was convicted of a drug charge a long time ago, he has a successful practice. Our current DA, who just received the Republican nomination again, was once arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. She's still suspected of being an alcoholic because she always appears drunk. hilarious