Community Corner

Should the State Fund College Classes for Prison Inmates?

Governor says funding college education for inmates is a worthy investment; what do you think?

Earlier this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a new statewide initiative to give incarcerated individuals the opportunity to earn a college degree through funding classes in prisons across New York. 

Cuomo said that studies have shown that investing in college education for prisoners dramatically decreases recidivism rates while saving tax dollars on incarceration costs.

"Giving men and women in prison the opportunity to earn a college degree costs our state less and benefits our society more," Cuomo said. "New York State currently spends $60,000 per year on every prisoner in our system, and those who leave have a 40 percent chance of ending up back behind bars. Existing programs show that providing a college education in our prisons is much cheaper for the state and delivers far better results."

Cuomo said it costs approximately $5,000 per year to provide one year of college education for one inmate.

The inmate college class plan, which would need to be approved by the state legislature, has already faced plenty of opposition, though, some from Cuomo's own party.

“I have to believe that the hard working families who are struggling to send their own children to college will feel betrayed if they see us supporting a plan to fund an education for inmates,” Assemb. Ed Hennessey, D-Medford, said in a statement.

“While the reasoning behind inmates coming out of prison with an education makes a certain kind of sense, we cannot do it with taxpayer money," he said. "It is our children and families who deserve the help. They must come first.”

When Patch asked readers on Facebook if they supported Cuomo's plan, a resounding majority said no.

One reader wrote: "Good families can't send their own children to school, but convicts in prison can get a degree for free? That's ridiculous." 

What's your take? Do you support the state funding college classes for inmates? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. 


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