The article fails to acknowledge decades of evidence about the benefits of prison education. The title and framing deceptively imply that college programs increase criminal activity post-release at a national scale. The Grinnell study-an unpublished working paper-is only informed by data collected in Iowa. Of most impact to incarcerated students, the title and introductory paragraphs mislead the reader by implying that the blame for technical violations and reincarceration should be placed on the justice-impacted individuals themselves.
Handwritten letters from Melissa Murphy, formerly Melissa O'Brien, 49, containing explicit romantic and sexual content were found in a HMP Chelmsford prisoner's cell, and a photo of the inmate was found at her home, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.
I have serious concerns about the impact of real-terms education budget cuts on already inadequate provision and about the lack of real appetite and ambition for improvement that this represents. The prison service has a duty to protect the public by making prisoners less likely to reoffend when they are released, but too often it is failing to fulfil this responsibility.
At 8.30am sharp, a white van pulls up to the North Carolina college campus where the Outsiders are huddled in their black shirts, sleepy-faced but in good spirits. They pile in quickly, knowing there is a tight schedule to stick to. A 10-minute drive from campus, then the van pulls up under the arch of a large metal gate crowned with razor wire.
The report argued that improved data is especially critical now that federal Pell Grants have been restored to incarcerated students. "Better data is essential to realizing the promise of higher education in prison," the report noted. "With reliable, accessible, and ethical data practices, programs can better support student success, identify and address disparities, and advocate for resources and reform ... At this turning point, data is not just a tool for accountability-it is a foundation for educational quality and meaningful opportunity."