With the rise in the rate of crime in the world, many prisoners are put behind bars every single day. Some of them are learned, whereas the majority is not. There are many arguments on whether governments should provide the prisoners with free college education or not. Some people think that this education is not necessary as it will need the tax payers' money, does not change their minds, costly, unfair and wasteful. On the other hand, it is beneficial to offer them free college education as it helps in the reduction of recidivism rates, violence, promote artistic skills, social skills and development of ways of controlling their emotions. Therefore, the free education should concentrate on vocational, academic and social education.
Some people argue against the provision of free education to the prisoners because it is very costly. This is because the government has to spend a lot of money in order to facilitate these educational programs. In the process, the tax payers' money is used in training the same people who caused them a lot of losses before they were imprisoned (Ireland, 2002). Therefore, people feel that governments should focus on more important l projects than the prisoners' free education. On the other hand, this point is not satisfactory as the education will equip them with skills that will enable them pay taxes upon their release.
Additionally, there are arguments that the prisoners' free education is wasteful as the inmates are not going to apply the skills anywhere in life (Wilson & Reuss, 2000). Therefore, it is a total waste to educate them; instead, governments should focus on the free individuals' education and empowerment are they will contribute the countries' economy. However, a few inmates remain in prison for life whereas the rest are there temporarily. Therefore, education is helpful to them because upon release, they can get employed and contribute to their countries' economy.
Moreover, not all people are for the prisoners' free education claiming that the education will defeat the purpose of the imprisonment (Mcshane & Williams, 1996). Prisoners are meant to be punished for the felonies committed in their societies; hence, the comfort given to them is like rewarding their wrong deeds at the expense of the citizens. On the contrary, the educational programs provided are meant to change the way they think. In turn, this will enable them come up with many positive alternatives to living instead of engaging in criminal activities.
Free college education for prisoners is quite inappropriate as many prisoners have negative attitudes towards education (Mcgrew, 2008). Statistics show that majority of the inmates are school dropouts who opted for crime rather than handwork. The idea of educating them is unsuitable as they are unlikely to appreciate it, worse still, apply the skills outside. By contrast, such education is beneficial as it will help in changing the attitudes on education. Those undergoing emotional problems are likely to change for the better and apply the acquired skills in the society.
On the other hand, there are numerous benefits for the prisoners' free college education in any society (Ireland, 2002). First, the educational programs given to the prisoners will certainly facilitate the reduction of the recidivism among prisoners. Many of them will benefit from the programs; hence getting better alternatives to tackling life challenges than criminal activities. As a result, the government will benefit from them as they will actively contribute to the country's economy. Therefore, it is imperative that all the prisoners in the world get access to free college education.
Furthermore, the idea of providing free college education is highly beneficial because it reduces violence among the inmates. The educational programs provided to them are instrumental in keeping them busy in prison (Mcgrew, 2008). In prison, they will engage in more beneficial activities rather than bullying and violence. More so, when they are finally released from prison, they can easily adapt to the new environment and participate in constructive communal activities. Notably, introduction of education programs in prisons is very critical.
In addition, prisoners should be provided with free college education as facilitates the development of artistic skills among them (Wilson & Reuss, 2000). This is because education will give them an opportunity to realize and develop their capabilities in prison. Moreover, some of the inmates did not get an opportunity to exercise their talents in the society. The development of the artistic talents will help them generate income and earn a living in a legal way rather than indulging in crime. In that case, it is vital that all the prisoners worldwide acquire free college education.
It is also crucial that prisoners get access to free college education because it is beneficial in the development in the social skills (Mcshane & Williams, 1996). Most of the inmates have had poor social skills since their childhood; hence, they have never been in a position to develop healthy relationships with other people. Subsequently, they have been unable to cope with life's challenges; hence resorting to criminal activities. Therefore, the free education will equip them with social skills that, in turn, enable them to coexist with people well when they eventually get freedom. Besides, the skills help them participate in community work and the contribution to the country's economy.
Provision of free college education to prisoners is advantageous because it enhances the development of better strategies used in the management of emotions (Wilson & Reuss, 2000). Prisoners, for instance, murderers and rapists, have emotional changes that could be quite dangerous to the society. Moreover, the idea of confining them in prison leads to frustration, stress and resignation in their lives. In fact, if these emotions are unchecked, the inmates can commit suicide whereas others will escape from the prisons; hence posing a great risk to the society. Therefore, it is crucial to provide them with educational programs that will enable them handle their emotions appropriately.
Prisoners need free college education in order to enable them enlightened and acquire skills necessary in order to secure a job after prison (Taylor, 2008). Because educational programs will change their mindset about life and society, they will have legal options to earning a living than indulging in criminal activities. Many ex-prisoners who got access to these educational programs are doing much better than those that did not get the opportunity. Given that free college education is quite indispensable for these prisoners, they should be given total access to the available educational programs.
What is more, free college education is crucial to prisoners as it will help them develop confidence, patience and high self-esteem (Siegel & Senna, 2009). Lack of confidence is hazardous as it makes individuals to doubt their capabilities and lose hope in life or whatever they are doing. Patience is also vital as it inculcates self-discipline in individuals, especially the prisoners. Self-esteem is instrumental in making them to believe in themselves and work hard towards changing their lives for the better. Explicitly, it is significant to provide inmates with free college education.
Evidently, despite the cost incurred, unfairness, lack of attitude and waste of resources in the provision of free college education to the prisoners. Nonetheless, it is highly indispensable in that it helps in the reduction of violence and recidivism, promotion of social, professional and artistic skills, development of better skills for emotional management, and development of patience, self-confidence and self-esteem. Therefore, prisoners should be provided with free college education.