Expanding Educational Programs for Inmates

Patt Morrison’s “Rob Inmates of the Chance for a Future? It Oughtta Be a Crime” (May 13) was right on the mark with regard to prison education programs.

When the Quakers established America’s first prisons during Colonial times, they demonstrated conclusively that there is a direct link between the education of inmates and the success of those inmates once they are back in our communities. That principle is as valid today as it was 300 years ago.

Our administration has a firm commitment to expanding and enriching educational programs for inmates. Those programs pay for themselves by lowering rates for both recidivism and crime. They also serve an important penal function in a setting where idleness can lead to misbehavior, or worse. We will be keeping the college program at Ironwood State Prison and we will reestablish the program at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison. We also hope to expand that program to other institutions.

Stephen Green

Assistant Secretary

California Youth & Adult

Correctional Agency

Sacramento