Why Prison Education Matters

Event Details

Date:	Thursday, April 6th, 2017
Location:	RAND Corporation
	1776 Main St., Santa Monica, CA
Schedule of Events:	4:00 p.m. 13th documentary (optional screening)
	6:00 p.m. Reception
	7:00 p.m. Program

About the Program

The Dr Michelson 20MM Foundation is hosting a screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary, 13th.

Why?

While it seems unreal, more than 2.2 million people will be locked up in American prisons. So, about 700,000 prisoners find themselves on release into their communities every year, and approximately 40 percent of them find themselves back behind bars within three years. Since this is a huge issue, research will show a solution.

First of all, a landmark RAND study shows participation in any kind of educational program while behind bars can help break the cycle. In addition to this, RAND also finds that prison education programs substantially reduce an individual’s risk of being reincarcerated and that such programs are cost effective. Therefore, every dollar invested in correctional education saves nearly five dollars in reincarceration costs over three years.

Furthermore, in collaboration with the Michelson 20MM Foundation, RAND Policy Circle and RANDNext members are invited to a discussion about the costs and benefits of using education to stop the prison revolving door. Consequently, with this and the effectiveness of programs like The Last Mile, it prepares inmates for reentry by providing them with marketable skills.

In conclusion, we offer an optional screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary 13th, a film that explores the history of race and the criminal justice system in the United States. Also, the film is available for prior viewing on Netflix!