Original Source Date: January 26, 2023
Impact Highlights
| Annual ROI | Time Horizon | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 11.9% | 10.0 years | 1 - Very Strong |
| Activities | Outcomes | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| Crime / Legal, Education | Opportunity, Schools | Income, Labor Force, Public Safety Spend, Unemployment, Violence Reported, Violent crime |
| Geography | Demographics |
|---|---|
| United States | Men |
Article Details
Prison education doesn’t just change lives—it also saves taxpayer dollars. A sweeping meta-analysis from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy shows that education programs for incarcerated individuals yield up to a 210% return on investment, reduce recidivism, and improve post-release employment and wages.
What the Program or Initiative Does
The study evaluated 78 academic papers spanning over 40 years, focusing on the impact of prison education programs across four main categories:
Adult Basic Education (ABE): Reading, writing, basic math
Secondary Education: GED or high school diploma
Vocational Education: Job skills and trade training
College Education: Associate’s or higher degrees
By providing inmates with education during their incarceration, these programs aim to improve outcomes post-release, reduce the likelihood of reoffending, and deliver both individual and societal benefits.
Social Impact Outcomes
The meta-analysis compiled 148 unique causal estimates, revealing the effects of prison education on recidivism, employment, and wages:
Recidivism: Education reduces reoffending by an average of 14.8% across all program types. College programs are especially effective, cutting recidivism by 27.7%.
Employment: Participation increases post-release employment rates by 6.9%, with college programs showing a 10.5% increase.
Wages: Former inmates who participated in education programs earned an average of $131 more per quarter than their peers.
The study also highlights that vocational programs offer the best balance of affordability and effectiveness, reducing recidivism by 9.4% while significantly boosting employability.
ROI Calculation: Up to 210% Return
Using cost data and estimated economic benefits, the study calculated the social return on investment (SROI) for each education type:
| Education Type | Cost/Participant | ROI (%) | Dollar Return/ $1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABE | $1,987 | 104% | $2.04 |
| Secondary | $1,987 | 122% | $2.25 |
| Vocational | $2,126 | 210% | $3.10 |
| College | $10,467 | 61% | $1.61 |
These figures include savings from reduced incarceration and gains from increased employment and earnings. Notably, college programs deliver the highest benefit per participant ($16,861) but require a longer investment timeline to reach breakeven.
While the report presents total returns per dollar spent, we can translate these into annual ROI figures using a 10-year timeframe, which aligns with typical public program evaluation periods.
We calculate:
| Education Type | Total ROI (Per $1) | Annual ROI (10-Year CAGR) | Time to Breakeven |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABE | $2.04 | 7.4% | ~9 years |
| Secondary | $2.25 | 8.5% | ~8.5 years |
| Vocational | $3.10 | 11.9% | ~6.5 years |
| College | $1.61 | 4.9% | ~11 years |
Who Benefits?
Demographics Served: Incarcerated adults across education levels
Geographies Highlighted: U.S. state prison systems
Activity Types: GED preparation, trade programs, associate degrees
Impact Metrics: Recidivism reduction, employment gains, wage increases, program ROI
Why This Matters
Education in prison works—and the numbers prove it. From reducing repeat offenses to improving reintegration and saving millions in taxpayer costs, these programs are a strategic investment in public safety and human capital.
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