NORWICH – On Sunday, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the initiation of a statewide incentive that if enacted would offer college degrees to inmates remanded within the New York State prison system.
In a statement released from the governors office, Cuomo maintains that bringing higher education to state prison inmates is directly attributable to decreased recidivism – or, re-incarceration – rates among those currently housed in one of more than 50 New York State prisons.
According to the release, the initiative will provide college level education at 10 New York State prisons, one in each region of the state. The program would offer both associates and bachelor’s degrees. Degrees would take generally 2.5 to 3 years.
Cuomo's staff will begin issuing Requests for Proposal (RFP) starting March 3, 2014 that will solicit responses from educational associations that provide college professors and classes in an accredited program in order for inmates to earn their degrees.
According to Cuomo, New York currently spends $60,000 per year to incarcerate one person and approximately $3.6 billion in total costs for prisons.
In contrast, it costs approximately $5,000 per year to provide one year of college education for one inmate. Cuomo's current studies have shown that by earning college degrees, inmates are far less likely to return to prison. New York’s current recidivism rate is 40 percent.
The introduction was met with mixed skepticism from local residents.
Shelly Harris of Sherburne said, “In my opinion the money would better be spent in rehabilitating the drug and alcohol problems that a huge percentage of the inmates have,” she said. “Teach them normal life skills and teach them a vocation.”
Assemblyman Cliff Crouch of New York's 122 district agrees with Harris, saying, “On paper, it looks like a great idea, and I agree that there is a problem with the recidivism rate in New York; but I have a ton of people in my district who are struggling to put their own kids through college.” He went on, “If we couple this with the governors new plan that the governors office has to make college available to illegal immigrants, we essentially take that opportunity away from law-abiding american citizens.”
“At a time when we're struggling as a state to refund programs that back-up our upstate schools, Governor Cuomo also wants to fund full-time pre-k across the state, even in districts where schools don't even offer all day kindergarten because it's not mandatory and they're struggling to keep that,” said Crouch.
Crouch added, “I say that we get our house in order, we get our education pieced back together and then we can start looking at expanding out and doing other things for other people.”
Opposing Assemblyman Crouch, Assembly Member Karim Camara said, “With the opportunity to earn a college degree while in prison, incarcerated individuals will stand a much better chance of successfully integrating back into society when they are released.”
“A higher level of education will support these men and women in moving forward with their lives, as opposed to returning to criminal activity and prison. The Governor's initiative is a progressive investment in the future - one that will help families stay together and strengthen our communities, while also reducing the cost and size of the prison system,” said Camara.
"Giving men and women in prison the opportunity to earn a college degree costs our state less and benefits our society more," said Governor Cuomo. "New York State currently spends $60,000 per year on every prisoner in our system, and those who leave have a 40 percent chance of ending up back behind bars. Existing programs show that providing a college education in our prisons is much cheaper for the state and delivers far better results. Someone who leaves prison with a college degree has a real shot at a second lease on life because their education gives them the opportunity to get a job and avoid falling back into a cycle of crime," according to the release.
New York State Senator Mark J. Grisanti of Buffalo announced the launch of a petition in opposition to Governor Cuomo’s plan to give free college to state prison inmates. The petition, titled ”Say ‘NO’ To Free College For Prisoners” has garnered over 2,700 signatures opposing the initiative and a link was posted to both his website and Facebook profile.
“Keep the signatures coming,” said Grisanti. “I am proud, but not surprised, that many western New Yorkers agree that we should put the needs of hardworking, law-abiding citizens who are positively contributing to society first.”