Education as a Cornerstone of Successful Reentry:

Access to Career and Technical Learning in Corrections

Kevin Elder and Jane Oates

When David Luis “Suave” Gonzalez was incarcerated at age 17, he couldn’t read or write. His IQ was measured at 56, and he was facing a life sentence for a crime he didn’t commit. At first glance, the odds were stacked against him. But in solitary confinement, determined not to depend on others to read his mother’s letters, Suave taught himself to read in just six months.

That turning point changed everything. What began as a personal effort to make sense of his world grew into an educational journey that included seven attempts at the GED, eventual enrollment in a college program, and 16 years later, a bachelor’s degree in education and marketing from Villanova University. Today, Suave is a Pulitzer Prize-winning podcaster whose work gives voice to others navigating reentry after incarceration.

Suave’s story demonstrates the power of access to education inside correctional facilities. For him, it meant purpose, growth, and hope. For facilities, it means safer environments and more stable communities. For society, it means better reentry outcomes and reduced recidivism.

Yet stories like Suave’s remain exceptional. While correctional facilities have been using tablets and other tools for years to support education, widespread access and consistent outcomes are still limited, particularly in local jails.

Why Education Matters in Jails Today

Jails were once primarily seen as short-term holding facilities, where sustained educational programs were difficult to implement. Individuals often stayed only days or weeks, making ongoing coursework challenging.

Today, the landscape has changed. In many jurisdictions, the length of stay has grown, creating a meaningful opportunity to provide education and skill-building. Jails are increasingly recognized as places where individuals can gain knowledge and skills that support their successful transition back to the community.

That change makes access to education in jails more urgent than ever. Without it, people leave custody unprepared for the demands of today’s economy and society. With it, they leave better equipped to succeed.

The Education Gap Behind Bars

The need for correctional education is stark. Research shows that 62 percent of individuals in state correctional facilities did not complete high school, and fewer than one in five have any college education. Only about 4 percent hold a bachelor’s degree, compared to nearly 38 percent of the general U.S. population (Prison Policy Initiative, 2018).

This gap has consequences. Formerly incarcerated individuals with limited education are less competitive in the job market. They are often excluded from stable employment that requires diplomas, certifications, or digital skills. Studies show that unemployment rates among formerly incarcerated individuals hover between 34.9 and 63 percent, depending on the timeframe after release (Prison Policy Initiative, 2022). Even one year later, two-thirds remain unemployed, and when they do find work, it is often low-wage, unstable, or temporary (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2024).

For families, the impact is intergenerational. Nearly half of incarcerated individuals are parents to minors (Prison Policy Initiative, 2022). Children of incarcerated parents face greater risks of academic failure, delinquency, and even incarceration themselves. Providing educational opportunities for parents while incarcerated has the potential to disrupt these cycles and strengthen family stability.

Career and Technical Education as a Bridge

One of the most effective tools for closing the education gap is career and technical education (CTE). These programs extend beyond basic literacy and GED attainment to provide hands-on, skill-based training aligned with workforce demand.

Industries such as advanced manufacturing, construction, information technology, and healthcare continue to face skilled labor shortages. CTE programs inside facilities can prepare individuals to fill those roles by equipping them with industry-recognized certifications, digital literacy skills, and the soft skills— communication, teamwork, and time management—that employers need.

The evidence is clear: participation in correctional education reduces recidivism by up to 43 percent and increases the likelihood of post-release employment by 13 percent (Center for American Progress, 2024). For taxpayers, the return on investment is striking: every dollar spent on correctional education saves four to five dollars in reincarceration costs (Vera Institute, 2022).

For correctional leaders, these outcomes matter. CTE is not simply a rehabilitative measure, it’s a public safety and operational strategy.

The Digital Divide in Corrections

Digital literacy is no longer optional. From applying for a job to accessing healthcare, nearly every aspect of modern life requires the ability to navigate online systems. Yet many incarcerated individuals have had little or no exposure to computers, email, or smartphones.

This digital divide creates serious barriers upon release. Suave himself has noted that too many incarcerated people return to society without even the most basic digital skills, setting them up for failure in a digital-first world.

Secure, facility-approved technology can close that gap. Tablets and digital platforms provide access to coursework, certification programs, and digital learning tools while ensuring safety and accountability. They allow incarcerated individuals to stay connected to modern learning methods and prepare for reintegration.

For facilities, the benefits extend beyond reentry. Technology-based learning helps reduce idleness, fosters constructive engagement, and supports safer, more stable environments.

A Story of Persistence and Transformation

Suave’s milestones illustrate both the challenges and the potential of correctional education. He failed the GED exam six times before finally passing on his seventh attempt. On the very day he received his diploma, he enrolled in college courses, a decision that set him on a new path.

That persistence reflects what so many justice-impacted individuals face: setbacks, barriers, and limited access. But it also reflects the determination and potential that education can unlock.

Today, Suave leads the “I Am More” program at Philadelphia Community College, which supports justice-impacted students as they transition back into society. Many of those students began their educational journeys while incarcerated, using secure tablets to complete coursework. Now, they are pursuing degrees, securing jobs, and rebuilding their lives.

From three students at its start, the program has grown to 130 participants. The lesson is clear: when incarcerated individuals are given access to education and digital tools, they succeed, not just for themselves, but for their families and communities.

The Role of Education in Facility Safety

Education is not only about reentry; it also strengthens facility operations. Structured programming reduces idleness, promotes positive use of time, and decreases disciplinary infractions. Facilities that integrate education often report safer environments and improved staff-inmate relations.

In this way, education is both a rehabilitative strategy and an operational tool. It aligns with the core mission of correctional leaders: to maintain safety, security, and order while preparing individuals for successful reentry.

Moving Forward: Solutions in Practice

To expand education in correctional facilities, several practical steps are essential:

  1. Make education a standard part of corrections. Reentry must begin at entry. Every incarcerated individual should have access to pathways ranging from literacy to certifications.
  2. Ensure continuity. Educational progress inside facilities should connect seamlessly to community colleges, workforce programs, and employers upon release.
  3. Leverage secure technology. Tablets and digital platforms make scalable learning possible while ensuring equity and accountability.
  4. Support family connectivity. Staying connected to loved ones improves reentry outcomes and should complement educational initiatives.

These are not abstract goals. They are practical steps that correctional systems can adopt now.

Education as Hope

The challenges of incarceration and reentry are complex, but the role of education is clear. It builds confidence, purpose, and opportunity. It transforms facilities into places of growth rather than stagnation. And it reduces recidivism, strengthens families, and improves community safety.

For Suave, education meant the difference between despair and possibility. From a young man in solitary confinement who couldn’t read, to a Pulitzer Prize-winning storyteller, his journey shows what can happen when learning is made accessible.

Every incarcerated individual deserves that same chance. Expanding access to career and technical learning, digital literacy, and secure technology inside correctional facilities is not just a rehabilitative measure, it’s a cornerstone of public safety and a bridge to stronger communities.

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A results-driven and visionary C-suite business & technology executive, Kevin Elder brings over two decades of experience in shaping technology enabled business transformations. His deep passion for architecting solutions extends to regulated industries, where his strategic insights ensure Securus Technologies partners with customers to navigate category change. Elder’s leadership consistently delivers transformative results and fosters innovation and growth. kevin.elder@ aventiv.com

Jane Oates is a seasoned workforce development leader and policy innovator with extensive experience shaping education and employment solutions. As Senior Policy Advisor and former President of WorkingNation, she has championed strategies to prepare Americans for the 21st-century economy. Previously, she served as Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration under President Barack Obama, where she led groundbreaking skills-based training initiatives, including programs for formerly incarcerated women. She also serves on the Advisory Board for Aventiv Technologies, providing strategic guidance on workforce innovation. janeoates@ workingnation.com

References

Prison Policy Initiative. (2018). Mass incarceration: The whole pie. https:// www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/ housing.html

Prison Policy Initiative. (2022). Unemployment among formerly incarcerated people. https://www. prisonpolicy.org/blog/2022/05/04/ mothers_day/

U.S. Chamber of Commerce. (2024). The economic costs of underemployment among justice-involved individuals. https://www.uschamber.com/ workforce/data-deep-dive-the workforce-impact-of-second-chance hiring-3#:~:text=Formerly%20 incarcerated%20individuals%20 experience%20extreme,during%20 the%20pandemic%20reached%20 15%25.

Center for American Progress. (2024). Correctional education and its impact on recidivism and reentry. https:// www.americanprogress.org/article/ playbook-for-the-advancement of-women-in-the-economy/ supporting-women-affected-by-the criminal-legal-system/

Vera Institute of Justice. (2022). Investing in futures: The economic and public safety case for prison education. https://www.vera. org/ending-mass-incarceration/ dignity-behind-bars/college-in prison#:~:text=Incarcerated%20 people%20who%20participate%20 in,it%20also%20saves%20 taxpayer%20money.