Question

How do inmates and previously incarcerated people face more obstacles than other citizens when pursuing an education? Do you agree with the author's suggestions for how to improve incarcerated people's access to education? What else do you think could be done?​

Answer 1

Answer:

Unfortunately, most ex- prisoners are unable to make a successful transition and they eventually return to prison. Offenders face many obstacles when they leave prison. Some of these they may have confronted before prison, such as unemployment, substance abuse, low self-esteem, anti-social relationships, and so forth.

Many of the challenges facing ex-offenders are systemic and require policy changes and a shift away from the attitude of some that punishment should continue after sentences have been served. “Ban the Box External” is a national campaign against continued punishment in hiring that calls for employers to remove the box on job applications that requires applicants to disclose criminal records. In a November 2015 speech at Rutgers University, President Barack Obama called on the federal government to support the campaign:

“[The federal government] should not use criminal history to screen out applicants before we even look at their qualifications… . It is relevant to find out whether somebody has a criminal record. We're not suggesting ignore it. What we are suggesting is that when it comes to the application, give folks a chance to get through the door. Give them a chance to get in there so they can make their case."