Laying the Groundwork

How States Can Improve Access to Continued Education for People in the Criminal Justice System

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Continued education is proven to have a notable impact on reducing recidivism. Yet, the vast majority of states have major barriers to postsecondary education opportunities for people during incarceration and upon release. This report provides a comprehensive, state-by-state analysis of postsecondary education policy and practices.

February 2020 | The Council of State Governments Justice Center

Laying the Groundwork

Laying the Groundwork: How States Can Improve Access to Continued Education for People in the Criminal Justice System provides a comprehensive, state-by-state analysis of postsecondary education policy and practices. The report identifies four fundamental “building blocks” that states should have in place to ensure that high-quality postsecondary education is readily accessible to currently and formerly incarcerated people.

Funding

(17 States)

Offerings

(17 States)

Lack of Restrictions

(10 States)

Incentives & Supports

(12 States)

Laying the Groundwork was developed by The Council of State Governments Justice Center, with support from Lumina Foundation.

Key Findings

No state currently has all four of the fundamental building blocks in place, and only half of states have any one of the building blocks.

Fewer than one in three states are using key federal and state funding streams to support postsecondary education for people while incarcerated and after release.
Less than half of states give incarcerated people access to a full range of postsecondary education programs aligned with local labor market trends and employer needs.
More than three-quarters of states impose statutory and/or administrative restrictions that limit access to postsecondary education for individuals who are currently and formerly incarcerated.
Only one-quarter of states offer incentives and tangible supports to promote postsecondary participation.

Full Report

Laying the Groundwork (PDF) presents detailed findings from a 50-state study to help state and local leaders determine whether their state is making sufficient efforts to improve educational and employment outcomes for incarcerated people by providing postsecondary education opportunities. A checklist of best practices related to each fundamental building block is included to guide needed reforms.

State Fact Sheets

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Josh Weber

Deputy Division Director, Corrections and Reentry

Josh Weber directs the CSG Justice Center's juvenile justice program, which focuses on helping states use effective methods to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for youth in contact with the juvenile justice system. Previously, Josh spent 10 years working on

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building the capacity of programs and systems that serve vulnerable youth in the juvenile justice, youth development, workforce development, and child welfare systems. Josh managed research programs for the Youth Development and Research Fund in Maryland and the Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago. In addition, Josh led the development and implementation of NYC Administration for Children’s Services' alternative to placement and reentry program for juveniles using evidence-based practices. He also directed the District of Columbia’s Justice Grants Administration, which managed all federal juvenile and criminal justice grants for the District. Josh received his BA in psychology from Duke University and his MPA from Princeton University.

Laying the Groundwork

How States Can Improve Access to Continued Education for People in the Criminal Justice System

Key Findings

Full Report

State Fact Sheets

Authors