Education in prisons is offered as a means to rehabilitate and redirect. Educating inmates aims to ensure they acquire new skills so that they won't have to go back into the same old activities that they used to have before. As a matter of fact, the issue of offering college education to inmates is a touchy subject that stirs controversy. The question on whether this education should be offered has raised debates as some argue that it encourages crime, especially in situations where some people could deliberately commit crimes so they would go and receive college education in the prisons. Nevertheless, the answer to whether this college education should be offered or not depends on one's feeling on the purpose of prison. There are those who believe the prison serves a principal purpose of rehabilitating, while others believe prison serves to punish the wrong doers (Williford, 1994, p.62). In my opinion, prison should be served to punish criminals and, thus, college education should not be offered in colleges.
Prisons give offenders a second chance to improve their lives and make things right once again. Offering education in prisons would, therefore, help keep inmates sane and alive. The education provided will offer them knowledge that they can use to create a successful life after serving their prison sentences. The college programs in prisons gives education opportunities to inmates, opportunities that they previously didn't have access to, aiming to benefit them in their lives once they are released. The offered education makes them return home with hope and confidence, having with them capability to find and hold satisfying jobs in a wide range of fields, which radically makes them less likely to return the prisons as they are now far better prepared to lead fulfilling and productive lives when free (Lockwood, 1991, p.27). .
College degrees come with many job opportunities, leading to a steady income and stable lifestyle that in turn provides large disincentive for criminal behavior as there is now more to live for.
