Essay 250 – Criminals should be allowed to get an education and enhance their skills

GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 250

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people believe that criminals should be allowed to get an education and enhance their skills while they serve their sentences in prison.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

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Model Answer:

It is often outlined by many that incarcerated individuals should have access to proper education programmes so that they can hone their skills while in prison. This essay completely agrees with this opinion because education opportunities in prison can deter crime cost-effectively, reduce recidivism, and spur economic activity.

There is a compelling reason for prison education and training as it is a cost-effective way of reducing crime rates in general. It also reaps long-term benefits to the nation. Take Rand Corporation’s report for an example. It, in 2016, produced a report that threw light on the fact that the convicts who take part in any kind of educational programme while in prison are 46 percent less likely to return to jail again. Apart from that, prisons with education programmes cause less violence among inmates, thus creating a safer atmosphere for both incarcerated persons and prison staff. Therefore, imprisoned individuals should be given proper educational opportunities for their growth as individuals and to maintain a better environment in the prisons.

In addition to decreasing recidivism and maintaining a safer environment, a nation can derive long-term benefits from prison education. By investing in penitentiary education, states can save taxpayers’ money that would have been spent on confinement. Ploughing back more money into the business and providing formerly convicted people essential tools to be more competitive in the job market will stimulate productivity and economic activity. It will also help previously confined persons become stronger players in the market through their employment, purchasing power and taxes. Undeniably, more self-reliant citizens are less dependent on government aids. A case in point is Missouri, a state in the USA, that saves an average of 20,000 dollars per year for every incarcerated person who leaves prison and does not return.

To conclude, from both a logical and moral perspective, prisoners’ access to education brings considerable benefit to society as a whole and ensures that every individual- regardless of his past- should get an opportunity to thrive in the future.