Inmate Education
Introduction
Placer School for Adults has been partnering with the Placer County Sheriff's Office to provide educational programming to inmates for more than 20 years. This program was developed to meet the needs of inmates who have the desire to learn while in custody. PSA has recently begun partnering with Nevada County Sheriff’s Office as well.
Courses Offered
General Educational Development (GED®)
Adult Basic Education
High School Diploma
Workforce Readiness
Career Technical Education
Parenting
Why is this important?
Here are just a few of the reasons why our partnership with the Placer County Sheriff's Office is important to the community and our inmate students:
Studies have shown that inmates who participate in education programs while incarcerated are 30% less likely to recidivate (return to jail once released). This reduced recidivism saves taxpayer dollars (the cost to incarcerate an adult in California is $81,000 per year, according to data from the CA/LAO).
Inmates who receive their high school diploma/equivalency and further employability training are more likely to find employment upon release.
Inmates who participate in programs while incarcerated develop healthier self-esteem and coping skills. These skills translate into better decision-making processes and a safer return to society upon release.
Inmates who are successful at adapting to a more productive life upon release help to create safer communities and free up funding to go to other programs such as K-12 education.
For more information on the value of a well developed inmate education program and recidivism see the following link: Prison Literacy.