Reducing Recidivism through Postsecondary Opportunities

On May 5th, the Reagan Institute will host a public-facing panel to discuss the many barriers to ensuring that all Americans, incarcerated or not, have access to education. Policy experts and practitioners will increase awareness about the challenges faced by those behind bars.

Education is a right, not a privilege, and is transformative to an individual’s life whether access begins early in life or after thirty years behind bars. Additionally, education is a key tool to combat recidivism. According to a 2021 Brookings Institution report, those who participate in postsecondary education programs while in prison are 48% less likely to return upon release and are 12% more likely to be employed. While the recently increased access to Pell Grant funding is a step in the right direction, it will not equate to increased access to higher education for all incarcerated Americans. This convening will address structural barriers to incarcerated higher education, and will serve as a conduit between the organizations and people who work within justice reform and education spaces.