The criminal justice system in the United States is frequently criticized for emphasizing punishment over rehabilitation. However, recent research from Flint, Michigan, raises the possibility that education could be essential to rewriting that story. According to The Harvard Crimson, recidivism, violence, and the overall negative effects of jail are all sharply declining because of a novel program called IGNITE (Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education).
According to the article, the IGNITE program introduced in 2020 by the Genesee County Sheriff offers daily, individualized instruction to prisoners housed at the Genesee County Jail. The outcome has been quite impressive: Harvard Kennedy School professor Marcella Alsan and professor Crystal S. Yang co-authored a study that found that participation in the program for just one month decreased recidivism by 18% over three months and 23% over a year. The program's ability to provide more than just a second chance was further evidenced by the study's finding that participants' reading and math skills improved by a full grade level.
The effects of the IGNITE program extend beyond lower rates of recidivism. Additionally, it reduced violence inside the jail and changed perceptions of law enforcement officers, which is essential in fostering trust between those who are incarcerated and the legal system.
The typical American approach to incarceration, which is frequently punitive rather than rehabilitative, stands in stark contrast to this method. Economics professor at Brown University and research co-author Peter Hull stated that the success of the IGNITE program in Flint supports the idea that America should reconsider its approaches to incarceration and move toward models that put rehabilitation above punishment.
The study's results show promise and imply that education may be a potent instrument for changing the carceral system. This strategy might open the door for comparable initiatives across the nation, offering a possible improvement to the approach to crime and punishment in the U.S.
Read the full article by Meghna Mitra and Rachael A. Dziaba in The Harvard Crimson, April 10, 2024, for a deeper look at this innovative project.
Explore Thriving Community partner The Fountain Fund and their work to reduce recidivism and help the formerly incarcerated thrive in society.