When we talk about reducing crime, the conversation too often centers around longer sentences and bigger prisons. But what if the most cost-effective way to reduce crime is not by locking more people up, but by educating them?
I read a groundbreaking study by Audrey Bazos and Jessica Hausman at UCLA (Correctional Education as a Crime Control Program, 2004) and it makes a powerful case for shifting our focus. Their research compares the crime-reducing effects of incarceration with the impact of correctional education programs, and the findings are undeniable.
A Smarter Investment
The numbers speak volumes.
$1 million spent on incarceration prevents roughly 350 crimes
$1 million invested in prison education prevents over 600 crimes
That makes correctional education nearly twice as effective as incarceration at reducing crime (Bazos & Hausman, 2004, p. 2).
And it doesn’t stop there. That same investment also prevents 26 future re-incarcerations, saving states an estimated $600,000 in future prison costs. In other words, every $1 million put into prison education can eventually return nearly two-thirds of that in direct savings (p. 9).
How Does It Work
The power of correctional education lies in two core benefits:
1. Increased Cognitive and Job Skills Education opens doors. Inmates who improve their literacy and earn credentials are more likely to secure jobs post-release. When legal employment becomes a viable path, crime becomes a less attractive option (p. 3–4).
2. Socialization and Pro-Social Behavior Classrooms behind bars provide a reprieve from the prison subculture. They foster accountability, communication skills, and exposure to positive role models, which are essential tools for a successful reintegration (p. 4).
Evidence That Holds Up
Some might question whether these outcomes are just correlation or causation. The authors anticipated this, applying a 50 percent discount to the effectiveness estimates to account for the lack of random assignment in studies. Even under this conservative lens, education still beats incarceration by a wide margin (Appendix C, p. 23–24).
They also ran sensitivity analyses to see how much the results would have to change before incarceration became more cost-effective. The answer, you would have to assume education only reduced recidivism by 5.5 percent, far below the 10 to 20 percent effect most research supports (p. 9, Table 5).
Real People, Real Results
In a multi-state study across Maryland, Minnesota, and Ohio, education reduced re-incarceration by up to 33 percent. Even after the 50 percent discount, the average reduction in recidivism was still 10 percent, translating into thousands of crimes prevented annually (p. 6, Table 1).
Why Persevere
This is not just theory. It is exactly what we have seen at Persevere.
Over the past six years, Persevere has served more than 1,800 students across six states, providing hands-on technology training, life skills, and wraparound support for individuals impacted by the justice system. The result is not just meaningful reentry, but measurable impact.
Our recidivism rate stands at just 0.54 percent.
That is not a typo. Less than one percent of our program graduates return to prison, compared to national averages hovering between 30 and 60 percent. These numbers are more than statistics. They represent parents who go home to their children, individuals who earn living wages, and communities that grow stronger every day.
And the cost savings are significant. With an average incarceration cost of $60,000 per person, Persevere’s 0.54 percent recidivism rate means that, out of 1,800 students, fewer than 10 have returned to prison. Compared to a national average of 30 percent, that’s over 500 incarcerations avoided, resulting in an estimated $30 million saved in prison costs alone. That is the power of prevention over punishment.
Persevere is proof that when you invest in people, especially those who have been written off, the return is exponential.
Where Do We Go From Here
If we are serious about public safety, economic mobility, and breaking cycles of incarceration, then we need to rethink what it truly means to support second chances. At Persevere, we are ready to partner with states, communities, and individuals to make that possible.
How can Persevere help your state or community?
1. Adult programming both behind facility walls and in the community, with a focus on education, technology training, reentry preparation, and employment
2. Juvenile programming inside detention centers and in community-based settings, combining skill-building with mentorship and restorative practices
3. Holistic wraparound services to support education and reentry, including mental health care, life skills, financial literacy, and family reunification
4. Transitional and long-term housing solutions for individuals returning home from incarceration
5. Job placement assistance through employer partnerships, social enterprise opportunities, and career readiness support
How can you or your organization support this work?
1. Donate to help expand our reach and impact in justice-impacted communities
2. Become a volunteer or mentor and walk alongside someone rebuilding their life
3. Hire our graduates or utilize our social enterprise, Banyan Labs – our students are trained in full-stack development, data analytics, cloud services, and more. Let them design your website, build your conference app, or develop a customized software solution to meet your organization’s needs
Every investment in education behind bars is an investment in safer, stronger, and more equitable communities. The choice is no longer whether we can afford to offer these opportunities. The truth is, we can’t afford not to.
Sources
Bazos, A. and Hausman, J. (2004). Correctional Education as a Crime Control Program. UCLA School of Public Policy and Social Research
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