Numerous studies have shown that proper vocational training and education of inmates will reduce the chances they will re-offend upon release. SB 1845 will ensure that the inmates most likely to benefit from education will get the needed classes to lead productive lives upon parole, thus reducing the likelihood of recidivism. This bill will reduce costs within the entire California criminal justice system and make our streets safer. Support of legislation like SB 1845 will reduce the tremendous sum of dollars currently being spent on new prisons and maintaining old prisons. Higher education funding decreases as prison spending increases.
Every dollar spent on prisons is a dollar lost to higher education.
The growing Department of Corrections budget will continue to cut into higher education funding unless ways to cut the recidivism rates and reduce the prison populations are sought and implemented. SB 1845 will help curb recidivism without compromising public safety and liberate dollars needed to fund other high quality government services. Deborah Vargas is a Policy Analyst with the Justice Policy Institute. Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice.