How to Earn a Degree While Incarcerated

Statistics suggest that a prisoner has an increased chance of succeeding upon release if he or she has a college degree. The average rate of recidivism is about 60 percent among the general population of prisoners; among released prisoners with degrees, that rate drops below 11 percent.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet access

Determine Whether Your Prison Has a College Program

1. Ask the prison's education director whether there is a college program in place for inmates.
2. Ask about eligibility requirements for participating in the college program.
3. Ask about the cost of participating in the college program. Find out whether family and friends are permitted to assist inmates with costs.
4. Look for support and guidance in pursuing your degree on the Prison Talk Web site (see Resources below).

Earn Your Degree Through a Correspondence Course

5. Ask the prison's education director for information about correspondence courses. You may also want to look for online programs that grant degrees.
6. Recognize that inmates have the right to receive written correspondence in jail. However, prison rules may dictate the type of mail prisoners are allowed to receive. Make certain the correspondence program can send coursework that complies with the rules.
7. Visit the Directory of Schools Web site (see Resources below) to find correspondence schools.
8. Seek career counseling while incarcerated. This, combined with education, may help you succeed after you are released from prison.

Tips & Warnings

• Be aware that some prisons don't allow inmates to receive stapled mail, padded envelopes or hardcover books. Learn the rules before you register to earn a degree through a correspondence course.
• Avoid breaking rules while you are incarcerated. Your participation in a degree program is likely to be contingent upon your good conduct.
• Understand that, as a result of your incarceration, you may be ineligible for most types of financial aid.