The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation has generously given a $1 million grant, to be provided as $100,000 annually for Augustana College’s Prison Education Program in Rock Island, Illinois. This support will allow access to better resources such as libraries, internship opportunities, technological resources, guided research, and programs designed to prepare students to return to careers. The college hopes to add more majors with the grant provided – majors such as American Studies to join along with their offered major of Communication Studies.
This program is incredibly beneficial for everyone involved – research shows those who graduate from prison education programs, such as APEP, are 20 times less likely to return to prison after serving their time.
The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation provides grants for the purpose of bettering higher education through student experience and learning environments. The foundation was established in 1981 by Austin E. Knowlton, a community leader who has left a lasting impact on students around the country.
A system in which we support inmates’ education and overall well-being in preparation for re-entering society can lead to positive outcomes. Expert on public policy, Professor Larry Brewster of the University of San Fransico has said there are numerous benefits for those who participate in these programs. Professor Brewster emphasized the results of better time management skills, the ability to regulate emotions and self-confidence, and an increase in motivation to pursue further educational or vocational programs.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics finds that the average person in prison has a 10th-grade education level. Through the study, it was observed that incarceration is tied to poverty and the systems surrounding it. Focusing on socioeconomic factors can greatly improve the neglect the systems of poverty face and give people a better chance to get out of a cycle that is difficult to break without support.
This blog post is part of the CIMA Law Group blog. If you are located in Arizona and are seeking legal services, CIMA Law Group specializes in Immigration Law, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, and Government Relations.
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