Partnerships Between Community Colleges and Prisons. Providing Workforce Education and Training to Reduce Recidivism

摘要

The IHEP findings were the basis for this review of partnerships between community colleges and prisons. The review seeks to: increase the visibility of partnerships between community colleges and prisons, encourage their replication in other communities, and illustrate how these partnerships can be a win-win for all involved community colleges, prisons, inmates, and the public. Providing correctional education to inmates gives community colleges the opportunity to increase their student enrollment and revenue and fulfill their mission to make education available to all local residents. By collaborating with community colleges, prisons can strengthen and expand their educational services to prepare inmates more effectively for their transitions to life beyond prison. Inmates prepared to reenter society are less likely to recidivate, which, in turn, improves public safety and saves taxpayer dollars (Chappell 2004). Interviews were conducted to learn more about partnerships between prisons and community colleges. Representatives for the interviews were selected in 11 statesAlabama, California, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin based on recommendations from researchers and practitioners in the field. This review highlights these states experiences and attempts to answer the below questions. What education and employment needs of inmates can be addressed by these partnerships. How are these partnerships formed, coordinated, and funded. How do these partnerships benefit inmates, prisons, community colleges, and the public. What challenges do these partnerships face and how are those challenges being addressed. What resources and tools are available to community colleges and prisons that want to form or strengthen a partnership.