Why do people in prison get a free education? ?

Question

Why does our US tax dollars help those in prison better themselves by giving them a free education? How is that fair?

How is it our responsibility to educate them and give them a better paying job when they broke the law in the first place?

Don't get me wrong, people deserve a second chance, but a free education to a criminal? Now that's just messed up.

Why not use that money for the highschool kid who's never been to jail and needs money for college?

Can anyone give a reason to justify this? (you're gonna have to try real hard!)

Answer 1

You have a very limited view of the society in which you live.

And clearly, you have never worked in a prison.

Answer 2

There are two reasons used to justify this.  I'm not saying I agree with them but here they are;

1) Most of these criminals will get out someday! If you give them some skills that will allow them to get productive jobs when released, they will be less likely to commit another crime.  

2) Idle hands...keeping prisoners busy through work, school, or recreational activities increases security inside the prison. Leaving prisoners with nothing to do increases violence among the prisoners and endangers guards and prison staff.  

Answer 3

with the thousands of dollars in fines they will be paying it hardly seems free....

Answer 4

UM DUH it's ignorance that got them there in the first place -

ebay rocks - K whatever -

social work is definately not your BAG

Answer 5

i've wondered the same thing.  to me if you break the law you get punished.  which to me is a 6 x 8 cell with only a half hour break to walk to end of hall and back.

no furnished libraries.  no gyms to work out in.  a visitor once a month for a half hour if they've behaved themselves.

aren't they glad i'm not in charge.

as for the financial aid to pay for schooling.  i applied was told i made to much money.  single mom with a job paying less than $17000 a year.  i paid my bills and nothing left over.  but i made to much money to get aid.  something is wrong with the system.

Answer 6

In the United States, we have these creatures called Democrats.  They are more likely to be on the side of criminals that the average American.  Being mostly criminals themselves, they have a special place in their bleeding hearts for the degenerates in our society.

Answer 7

When criminals are released back into the real world, it becomes extremely hard for them to find a job because of their past.  With no job, these criminals can go to desperate measures for money and break the law again.  Or many even become mentally disturbed (if they weren't already).  Many of their educations consist of learning a trade.  A criminal with an education and/or a skill becomes useful in society and less of a danger to the people.  Yes, they do deserve a second chance, even if it means a free education.  And that is sad about poor kids who need money for college and can't get it.  But it's just not possible for the government to fix every problem.

Answer 8

Think about it, not that that activity is encouraged on this forum, would you prefer prisoners to come out of jail, just as they went in, and with no chance of bettering themselves, and therefore society? They would just return to what they can do, which is commit crimes.

It is a very good investment for the whole of society, unless you like living in a society with a permanant uneducated criminal underclass.

Is an educated person more, or less, likely to commit further crimes, than an uneducated one?

Answer 9

"Can anyone give a reason to justify this? (you're gonna have to try real hard!)"

Say WHAT?

Sorry, but this is easy, rehabilitation. It is NOT "messed up" as you claim, to educate the prison population that does NOT have an education. By educating criminals while in jail, there is a better chance they will not become a repeat offender, that they will LEARN, while I think if we deprive them of this opportunity, what other choice do they have but to repeat what got them into trouble? You argument to deprive criminals of an education is fatally flawed, a logical fallacy.  

Answer 10

I understand where you are coming from. I posted something about why US is against "cruel and unusual punishment" when they often did cruel and unusual things to their victims. And if we do what THEY did then it's not so unusual now is it? Since they already did it!

Anyhow, many of these convicts have had little to no education. It's the last hope for them. They need it greatly.

Also, it won't matter what type of education they receive.

Because it is VERY, VERY hard for a ex-convict to get a job in the real world that is better paying. Even fast food places, supermarkets, etc. do not wish to hire ex-convicts. The idea of an education for them is just rehabilitation, they won't make a penny extra from obtaining any extra courses.

I feel bad for the ones that are really innocent and just were at the wrong place, wrong time though.

Answer 11

From what i know they no longer let you get degrees in jail/prison! no that hard thanks for the 10 points haha

Answer 12

okay first off you answered your own question.. giving convicts a second chance at succeeding.

second, you ask why shouldn't we use the money for a high school kid... well, that's why there's something we Americans have called The Federal Pell Grant. it's designed for under-privileged kids who want to further their education, but neither they or their parents have the money. we call this "Financial Aid" for short. i went to a four year school (West Virginia University, to be exact) and graduated with honors. neither me nor my parents had to pay one cent because i applied for financial aid, and it took care of my tuition, books, and room and board for all four years.

so, yes, i think it's very fair that convicts get a free education, because i feel that everyone is entitled to a higher diploma than just high school.