[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":3,"doc-seo-584152-105":59,"doc-detail-584152-en":129},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,13,18,23,28,33,38,43,48,51,55],{"id":8,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":10,"show_sort_weight":11,"slug":12},1,"Document","Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":14,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":15,"show_sort_weight":16,"slug":17},2,"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":19,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":20,"show_sort_weight":21,"slug":22},4,"Exam",70,"exam",{"id":24,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":25,"show_sort_weight":26,"slug":27},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":29,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":30,"show_sort_weight":31,"slug":32},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":34,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":35,"show_sort_weight":36,"slug":37},7,"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":39,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":40,"show_sort_weight":41,"slug":42},8,"Research & Report",30,"research-report",{"id":44,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":45,"show_sort_weight":46,"slug":47},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":46,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":49,"show_sort_weight":46,"slug":50},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":52,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":53,"show_sort_weight":52,"slug":54},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":56,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":57,"show_sort_weight":24,"slug":58},19,"General","general",{"code":4,"msg":60,"data":61},"ok",{"site_id":62,"language":63,"slug":64,"title":65,"keywords":66,"description":67,"schema_data":68,"social_meta":122,"head_meta":124,"extra_data":126,"updated_unix":128},105,"en","policymakers-role-in-expanding-prison-education-access","Policymakers’ Role in Expanding Prison Education Access","","The document examines how policymakers can widen access to prison education and career-focused training for incarcerated learners. It highlights evidence that most incarcerated individuals will be released without prior access to postsecondary education, limiting hope and employment prospects. Research cited links prison education to reduced recidivism and cost savings for states, while noting unmet demand. It describes a Kansas-centered community of practice convened to address barriers across governance, financial aid, and student supports.",{"@graph":69,"@context":121},[70,84,104],{"@type":71,"itemListElement":72},"BreadcrumbList",[73,77,79,82],{"item":74,"name":75,"@type":76,"position":8},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":78,"name":9,"@type":76,"position":14},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/",{"item":80,"name":35,"@type":76,"position":81},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/healthcare/",3,{"item":83,"name":65,"@type":76,"position":19},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/policymakers-role-in-expanding-prison-education-access/584152/",{"url":83,"name":65,"@type":85,"image":86,"author":91,"headline":65,"publisher":94,"fileFormat":97,"inLanguage":63,"description":67,"dateModified":98,"datePublished":98,"encodingFormat":97,"isAccessibleForFree":99,"interactionStatistic":100},"DigitalDocument",{"url":87,"@type":88,"width":89,"height":90},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/policymakers-role-in-expanding-prison-education-access/584152.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":92,"@type":93},"Kyle","Person",{"url":74,"name":95,"@type":96},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-15",true,{"@type":101,"interactionType":102,"userInteractionCount":4},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":103},"ViewAction",{"@type":105,"mainEntity":106},"FAQPage",[107,113,117],{"name":108,"@type":109,"acceptedAnswer":110},"Why does the document argue that expanding prison education access matters?","Question",{"text":111,"@type":112},"It states that most incarcerated people are released without access to postsecondary education or training, creating a missed opportunity. It also links education access to increased hope and improved employment odds after release, supporting economic stability.","Answer",{"name":114,"@type":109,"acceptedAnswer":115},"What benefits does the document cite for states when investing in prison education programs?",{"text":116,"@type":112},"It notes evidence that investing in education and workforce training can lower state costs and reduce recidivism. It also provides a cost-saving claim that each dollar spent results in several dollars saved in incarceration costs.",{"name":118,"@type":109,"acceptedAnswer":119},"How does the Kansas example illustrate effective implementation?",{"text":120,"@type":112},"The document describes a community practice touring the Lansing Correctional Facility, including an industry-recognized welding credential program. It cites Gov. Laura Kelly’s remarks that thousands have completed or are pursuing education and career and technical education, framing correctional education as core to rehabilitation and workforce development.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":83,"og:type":123,"og:title":65,"og:site_name":95,"og:description":67},"article",{"robots":125,"canonical":83},"index,follow",{"doc_id":127,"site_id":62},584152,1792049995,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":130},{"doc_id":127,"user_id":131,"nickname":92,"user_avatar":132,"doc_module":4,"category_id":34,"category_name":35,"doc_title":65,"doc_description":67,"doc_content":133,"file_id":134,"file_url":135,"file_type":136,"file_size":137,"view_count":4,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":8,"is_downloadable":8,"audit_status":8,"page_count":138,"language":139,"language_code":63,"site_id":62,"html_lang":63,"table_of_contents":140,"faqs":141,"seo_title":142,"seo_description":67,"update_tm":128,"read_time":143},3985741905716,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_994ba38a5ba835b3df7d355c54d3ed8d","JUNE 2025  \nPolicymakers’ Role in Expanding Prison Education Access  \nJennifer Thomsen and Shytance Wren  \nPreliminary data show that more than 1.25  million people were incarcerated in federal and state correctional facilities in 2023.  \nAmong those, the vast majority — about 95% — will eventually be released and often without having had access to postsecondary education or training programs that would help them transition successfully into their communities. This is a missed opportunity. Access to these programs has substantial benefits for both reentering individuals and their communities.  \nResearch has shown that postsecondary education access in prison contributes to increased levels of hope for learners and increases the odds of securing employment after release, which is critical to gaining economic stability. In addition, access to postsecondary education has been shown  \n As state leaders and policymakers, we have a responsibility to provide high-quality educational opportunities to all our citizens, no matter where they might be in their educational journey. Far too often, individuals impacted by the justice system are overlooked and provided only limited educational services, despite the evidence that investing in educational and workforce training opportunities lowers costs for states and reduces recidivism.  \n– KANSAS GOV. LAURA KELLY,  \nEDUCATION COMMISSION OF THE STATES 2023-25 CHAIR.   \nto decrease the likelihood of recidivism. This provides a cost savings for states since every dollar spent on prison education programs results in four to five dollars saved in incarceration costs. A survey of incarcerated adults found that 70% wanted to enroll in an education program but the demand outpaced availability.  \nState policymakers play an important role in ensuring learners living in carceral settings have access to the programs and support they need to succeed. To elevate state policy responses to barriers faced by these learners, Education Commission of the States convened a community of practice. The group brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including:  \n⚫ State education policy leaders (including governors’ policy advisors, legislators, state higher education executives, members of state boards of regents, and leaders from state departments of higher education and K-12 education) .  \n⚫ State leaders from departments of corrections, including department secretaries, education program superintendentsand directors, reentry directors and others.  \n⚫ Higher education in prison program directorsand practitioners.  \n⚫ Policy and advocacy  \norganization leaders.⚫ Researchers.  \nThe group met in-person three times over the course of 18 months to explore state policy questions while keeping students’ lived experiences top of mind. To center students’ experiences, the group toured the Lansing Correctional Facility in Kansas and participated ina panel discussion at the facility that featured former students, educators, employers and representatives of the Kansas departments of correctionsand commerce. The community of practice’s goals included:  \n⚫ Developing meaningful connection points between policymakers, practitioners, advocates and researchers.  \nA Successful Approach in Kansas  \nMembers of the community of practice visited the Lansing Correctional Facility  \nwhere they got a firsthand look at the postsecondary and career and technical education programs. The tour included the industry-recognized welding credential program, which is a partnership between Kansas City Kansas Community College and local businesses so students can earn industry recognized credentials. They heard directly from current students for whom the programs provide opportunities to build skills that will help ease their reentry experience and from former students who are finding stable employment. The Kansas Department of Corrections has created strong partnerships with private industry by offering in-demand skills students will need w","cbCaijaaPfcm5e7f","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaijaaPfcm5e7f","pdf",304391,13,"English","# Policymakers’ Role in Expanding Prison Education Access\n## Evidence and unmet demand\n## Community of practice and stakeholder convening\n## A Successful Approach in Kansas\n## Goals and key barrier areas: governance, financial aid, student supports","[{\"question\":\"Why does the document argue that expanding prison education access matters?\",\"answer\":\"It states that most incarcerated people are released without access to postsecondary education or training, creating a missed opportunity. It also links education access to increased hope and improved employment odds after release, supporting economic stability.\"},{\"question\":\"What benefits does the document cite for states when investing in prison education programs?\",\"answer\":\"It notes evidence that investing in education and workforce training can lower state costs and reduce recidivism. It also provides a cost-saving claim that each dollar spent results in several dollars saved in incarceration costs.\"},{\"question\":\"How does the Kansas example illustrate effective implementation?\",\"answer\":\"The document describes a community practice touring the Lansing Correctional Facility, including an industry-recognized welding credential program. It cites Gov. Laura Kelly’s remarks that thousands have completed or are pursuing education and career and technical education, framing correctional education as core to rehabilitation and workforce development.\"}]","Policymakers’ Role in Expanding Prison Education Access | PDF",33]