Tennessee should invest more in prison education. Here's why

Yahoo

08-05-2025

Tennessee houses approximately 22,000 individuals in its prison system, and each year thousands are released to reintegrate into society.
But while Tennessee has made strides in reducing its recidivism rate—now at a decade-low of 29.6%, as of 2023—the question remains: how can we continue this progress while saving taxpayer dollars?
One solution is clear: investing in prison education.
Recent research highlights education's critical role in reducing recidivism, improving employment prospects, and benefiting the broader economy. Yet, Tennessee ranks 16th in the nation for prison education programs, scoring 4.25 out of 7 in a recent Mackinac Center study. This suggests that Tennessee has room for improvement and even an opportunity to lead the nation.
Expanding prison education isn't just the right thing to do; it's also a smart economic choice. With Tennessee spending an average of $111.53 per day, or over $40,000 annually, to house an inmate, and recidivism leading to increased incarcerations, taxpayers shoulder a burden of hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Reducing recidivism by even 10% could save the state tens of millions annually.
According to our research, Are Schools in Prison Worth It? inmates participating in education programs are less likely to re-offend and more likely to secure employment upon release. Vocational training, for instance, can reduce recidivism by 9.4%, and college education yields a remarkable 27.7% decrease. These programs offer substantial returns on investment, saving taxpayer dollars by lowering reincarceration costs and increasing economic contributions through employment.
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Tennessee has already taken steps to reduce recidivism, such as implementing evidence-based programming and risk assessments. Expanding prison education builds on these important efforts, reallocating resources toward programs proven to break cycles of incarceration. A roadmap for improvement is laid out in our work, How States Can Improve Education Programs in Prisons, identifying four key policy recommendations:
Automatic Enrollment: Mandating that inmates without a high school diploma or literacy proficiency be enrolled in education programs. This approach addresses the disproportionately low education levels among incarcerated individuals, a factor contributing to their struggles post-release.
Centralized Administration: Establishing a dedicated state office to oversee prison education programs, ensuring quality and equitable access across facilities. Evidence shows that states with centralized oversight provide more comprehensive and consistent educational opportunities.
Incentives for Completion: Offering sentence reductions for inmates who complete educational milestones creates a win-win scenario for the inmate and the state, reducing costs and increasing public safety.
Research and Evaluation: Regular evaluations of prison education programs are needed to assess their effectiveness and report on key outcomes such as recidivism reduction, employment rates, and cost savings. Tennessee can use this data to ensure programs meet goals and guide future investments.
These steps aren't theoretical. States like Ohio and California have made significant strides in implementing prison education programs, leading to measurable reductions in recidivism and improved post-release outcomes. Tennessee can join these leaders by prioritizing prison education as a cornerstone of its rehabilitation strategy.
Beyond the statistics, prison education restores dignity and hope, equipping individuals to build better futures. It transforms lives by giving inmates the tools they need to break free from cycles of crime and poverty, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to society.
For Tennessee, this isn't just an investment in individuals; it's a commitment to safer neighborhoods, reduced taxpayer burdens, and a stronger economy. By reallocating resources to programs that work, Tennessee can lead the nation in effective rehabilitation and criminal justice reform.
Ben Stickle is a Professor of Criminal Justice Administration and Steven Sprick Schuster is an Associate Professor of Economics, both at Middle Tennessee State University.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Prison education should be a priority in Tennessee | Opinion