The case for expanding higher education in prison
Access to higher education isn’t just valuable for students in traditional classrooms; it’s essential for those within Texas prisons, where it can reshape lives, boost public safety, and enhance economic growth.
Yet, a new report from Texas 2036 shows a stark 50% decline in incarcerated Texans enrolled in college programs—from 7,203 in 2011 to just 3,581 in 2022. This drop isn’t for a lack of interest among inmates; it’s due to limited educational capacity within the prison system.
Texas prisons house more than 134,000 individuals, and each year over 45,000 reenter society. Within three years, nearly half are rearrested, and 15-20% end up incarcerated again.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Research shows that incarcerated people who participate in college programs are 41.5% less likely to return to prison. Expanding these programs could reduce recidivism rates and give the formerly incarcerated a path to stable, productive lives—a benefit that extends to their families and communities.
Employers are also more likely to hire those with postsecondary credentials: A national study found that employers are 42% more likely to hire someone who was incarcerated with a college credential over a GED. Access to education creates career pathways for those trying to rebuild their lives.
Investing in their own future
In Texas, incarcerated individuals bear the responsibility of paying for their education, with some federal and state aid available to qualified students. The good news is that this investment has been proven to pay dividends. A recent study found that for every dollar invested in prison-based college education, the return is estimated at $1.61.
In April 2024, only 1,800 incarcerated students in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) were enrolled in college-level programs, while over 8,300 eligible individuals remained on waitlists. The demand is clear, but the educational capacity in prisons is far too limited.
Community colleges are essential partners here. In 2022, they educated over 90% of incarcerated students in Texas. Thanks to recent federal reforms expanding Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated students and the Texas Legislature’s community college finance overhaul, there is now an opening to reach more of these students.
Texas legislators could take meaningful steps in the upcoming session to address these gaps. Strengthening oversight and coordination of prison education programs would be an important first step. TDCJ’s primary education provider, Windham School District, could be given the authority to expand college-level programming. Community colleges could also be allowed to serve incarcerated students beyond their usual service areas, broadening access.
TDCJ could further improve data collection and sharing to measure educational outcomes and assess program effectiveness. Also, aligning TDCJ’s education objectives with Texas’ broader workforce goals under the “Building a Talent Strong Texas” plan could set measurable targets for educational attainment before incarcerated Texans reenter society.
Higher education offers incarcerated Texans the skills they need for successful reintegration into our communities and workforce, benefiting not only them but also their families and the state’s economy.
This op-ed was first published in the Gilmer Mirror (Nov. 19, 2024)