Prison education cuts driving drug use, self-harm and violence, says watchdog

Nature NewsIndependentProgressiveyesterday

Ryan Rising, a formerly incarcerated individual, began taking university courses while in prison and is now pursuing a PhD in criminology focused on reducing recidivism among formerly incarcerated individuals. Rising was first incarcerated at age 12 and spent two decades cycling in and out of prison, during which he transitioned from drug addiction to a passion for learning. His educational journey began in 2013 after participating in a hunger strike in California prisons, which led to the introduction of correspondence courses through Lassen Community College. Rising earned multiple course credits but left prison without a degree. He continues his academic pursuits post-release, aiming to establish a prison-to-university pipeline to support others in reintegration.

Bias read (Progressive): The article highlights systemic issues within the U.S. justice system, emphasizing its punitive nature over rehabilitative approaches. It frames the need for educational opportunities within prisons as a critical step toward societal reintegration, aligning with progressive advocacy for criminal司法改革

The Guardian (UK)IndependentProgressive2 days ago

A UK prison watchdog, Charlie Taylor, warns that significant cuts to education and training programs in prisons under Labour ministers have led to increased drug use, self-harm, and violence among inmates. Taylor highlights that some prisons have reduced frontline education spending by up to 50%, contradicting promises made by Keir Starmer in his general election manifesto. He emphasizes that the lack of meaningful activities has contributed to rising levels of distress and criminal behavior. Taylor also expresses concerns about the potential risks to public safety as thousands of prisoners are set to be released later this year, noting inadequate coordination between prison and community services. He cites specific examples of drug smuggling methods, including the use of drones to deliver illicit items such as Allen keys and super-strength glue, highlighting the severity of the issue.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the reduction in prison education funding as a deliberate policy choice by Labour ministers, implying negligence or ideological prioritization over rehabilitation. It emphasizes negative outcomes such as increased drug use and violence, while criticizing the government's failure.雖