EDUCATION OVER INCARCERATION: REDUCING RECIDIVISM AND MITIGATING THE IMPACT AND COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES OF MASS INCARCERATION AND HYPERINCARCERATION THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION, BEHAVIORAL AND HEALTH INTERVENTIONS, AND POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Abstract

Studies have shown that the rates of incarceration in the United States of America have skyrocketed over the course of the last several decades. Furthermore, the extremely high rate of incarceration in the United States has become a destructive force on children, families and entire communities and has disproportionately affected and targeted young men from low-income communities of color. Studies have also shown that mass incarceration is generally harmful to the health of the individuals that are imprisoned, the health of formerly incarcerated individuals, and harmful to the health of families and communities. The true cost of mass incarceration on society is estimated to be as high as over $1 trillion per year and studies indicates that more than half of those costs are ultimately levied upon families, children, and community members that are not incarcerated. This paper discusses policy reforms that have been implemented in recent years and that are currently being implemented to help mitigate the harmful impacts of mass incarceration, prevent recidivism, and reduce the population of incarcerated individuals. It also outlines higher education and positive development programs as effective strategies to further achieve these goals, lists current programs and interventions that have been effective, and discusses policies that would improve access to education for justice-involved populations as an effective tool to combat mass incarceration.