Argument on the Proposal about Prison Education - Research Paper Example

Emergent trends indicate that education greatly influences the attitudes as well as behaviors of the learners. The decision of the government to take away from 3000 student’s financial aid in order to provide education for the willing and able prisoners is a positive development that should be embraced. This can go a long way in addressing the problem of crime in a sustainable manner. A society that is educated tends to report less cases of crime. This is because most members of that society tend to follow the rules and regulations that govern that society.

Educated individuals also tend to have a good grasp of the moral responsibility that the society thrusts upon them/ To begin with, a demographic review of the financial wellbeing of college students ascertains that most of them can afford the fundamental tuition fees (Freeman and Robbi 96). Thus they use the aid they receive from the government for their sustenance and other leisure needs such as entertainment. In this respect, it is certain that their basic needs are already catered for. For this reason, the extra financial help that they get from the government can be employed for other important purpose of educating the prisoners.

Nothing is as elemental as providing education to the prisoners. To ensure optimal and satisfactory results, the government should undertake screening exercise to ensure that students benefiting from the relative funds actually deserve the help. Those students who deserve the financial aid from the government should not be denied the same as this can be counterproductive. The extra resources should then be channeled to educating willing prisoners. When the prisoners are educated, they are likely to walk out of the prisons changed people and this is the main aim of correctional institutions such as prisons.

In his research, Clements posits that inmates who undergo education programs while in prison are unlikely to assume criminal activities upon completion (Clements 1477). Educating the inmates is vital in eradicating inmates and keeping them informed about the law. Statistical evidence ascertains that ignorance is the root cause of crime and criminal activities in the society. Through education, the inmates are also able to acquire good work habits, learn various skills and finally master professions.

When these inmates come out of the prison they are able to engage in meaningful income generating activities, thereby contributing immensely towards the development of the society. Attainment of all these attributes eases the social integration process especially upon completion of their sentence. Although not all of them undergo the positive change, Williford contends that the percentage that attains the positive status is satisfactory (Williford 59). Financial statistics indicate that the government employs a significant percentage of resources on correctional measures and institutions.

Indirectly, the tax payer contributes a great deal to the respective expenditure. Quality educational programs for inmates according to Vacca can be able to reduce and even reverse the aforementioned trends. Although the initial and running costs would be high, the ultimate results would be positive and lasting (Vacca 299). In particular, reduction of recidivism, rates of crimes and tax contributions would be more rewarding. Comparatively, this would be better than continuing to spend on college students who can afford their basic