Since the war on drugs began in the 1970s, a significant proportion of incarcerations have become drug-related. Drug use in prison is also a serious problem, with some research showing that an estimated 65% of the United States prison population is addicted to mind-altering substances. Another 20% of prisoners do not meet the criteria for any addiction but were under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of their crime. Addiction treatment is essential to reforming criminals. If they don’t receive treatment while in prison, they’ll almost certainly go back to using drugs once they’re released, which will almost certainly land them back in prison again.¹

Another critical issue that leads to recidivism? Prisoners do not receive the education they need to succeed after their release. According to the Correctional Education Association, the illiteracy rate for adult inmates is estimated at 75%. Even the most basic educational attainment metrics, like achieving average adult literacy, significantly reduce an inmate’s recidivism rate. Providing inmates with programs that help them obtain high school diplomas, learn trade and technical skills, and pursue postsecondary educational opportunities while incarcerated all significantly reduce recidivism, as such programs prepare inmates for life outside of prison.²

Substance Abuse and Incarceration

The misuse of drugs and alcohol is an overwhelmingly common factor that leads to Americans being locked up in jail or prison. People who become addicted to drugs and alcohol often continue to seek out their substance of choice while in prison, leading to a complex black market of drug dealing and use occurring behind prison walls. People who struggle with addiction continue to be addicted while serving a prison sentence, and they will continue to be addicted once they’re released if they’re not provided with treatment services while in prison.

Substance abuse treatment for prisoners is not only essential to helping them walk away from a life of crime; it’s also life-saving. People who enter prison with an addiction will leave prison years later with a much lower level of drug tolerance. Former offenders often won’t be aware of this; they’ll go back to using the amount of drugs they were accustomed to using before entering prison, and they’ll overdose and die. Research shows about 14.8% of all former prisoner deaths are caused by drugs, a much higher percentage than in the general population.

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Treating incarcerated individuals for substance abuse is not only life-saving, it’s also effective. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has found that treating addicted prisoners can “change their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors toward drug use; avoid relapse; and successfully remove themselves from a life of substance use and crime.” Research also shows that offenders who receive substance abuse treatment are statistically much less likely to die from an overdose following release than offenders who do not receive addiction treatment.

Only a small percentage of offenders receive addiction treatment while in prison, and what treatment is made available is often insufficient. Critically, prisoners need access to treatment while serving their sentences, and they also need wrap-around services after release to ensure they’re still getting the care they need outside of prison.

Education and Incarceration

As researchers for one paper on education in prison wrote, “Although learning to read by itself will not prevent participation in crime, illiteracy may preclude knowledge of the legal system, participation in treatment programs, finishing education, finding employment, and may interfere with establishing good social relationships.” Numerous studies cited in that report indicate educational programs have a direct, positive effect on recidivism. The more educated inmates become while in prison, the less likely they are to re-offend following their release.

Educational programs in prison are particularly helpful when they include:

• Materials that address real-life issues
• Courses that tackle drug use and family relationships
• Prison literacy programs that improve inmates’ abilities to read and write
• Courses that include a well-defined philosophy delivered by trained, dedicated staff
• Classes that cover life training skills, healthy coping strategies, and the underlying issues that lead to crime

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Research suggests that inmates who take part in educational programs while in prison are as much as 43% less likely to return to a life of crime than individuals who have no access to education while in prison. Education for prisoners benefits everyone. Every dollar spent on education for inmates saves four to five dollars on incarcerating inmates.³

“Even very basic education, like adult literacy and basic skills, can significantly reduce the rate of recidivism.”

Scholars at the University of Wyoming wrote extensively about the benefits of education for prisoners in 2020. From Sean Jackson, Master of Science in Counseling, “Even very basic education, like adult literacy and basic skills, can significantly reduce the rate of recidivism. Allowing inmates to finish their high school diplomas, learn a trade and technical skills, and pursue post-secondary educational opportunities while incarcerated can greatly reduce recidivism as well.” Simply put, education works.⁴

The Revolving Door of Incarceration in America Does Not Have to Be a Foregone Conclusion

There are ways to overcome criminal behavior and create a new, meaningful, responsible life following a prison sentence. Supporting programs that help make this a reality is in everyone’s interests, as it is far better for public safety to have reformed individuals leaving prison, not those who will only return to crime. To achieve this goal, prisons and the policymakers and executives that govern them must prioritize substance abuse treatment and education for offenders.

Sources:

1. NIDA. “Criminal Justice DrugFacts.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020. nida.nih.gov
2. DOJ. “Prison Literacy Connection.” United States Department of Justice, 1991. ojp.gov
3. BJA. “Evaluating the Effectiveness of Correctional Education.” Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2013. bja.ojp.gov
4. TW. “4 Proven Ways to Reduce Recidivism.” Trend Wyoming, 2020. trendwyoming.org