Understand The Relationship Between Education And Crime
In society, we may correlate education with success, which may be demonstrated through examples such as employment opportunities and an overall improved quality of life. However, for those who do not earn an education, there lies an increased risk of criminal involvement. Consequently, those that neglect to accomplish an education may fail among society standards and possibly face incarceration. A brief prepared for the Justice Policy Institute (JPI) reveals there is a substantial reduction in the amount of education for the over 2 million individuals residing in jails and prisons. While a lack of education is statistically correlated to an increase in the level of crime rates and subsequent imprisonment, the study also discloses lower crime rates and public safety achievements for states associated with educational accomplishments, such as high school graduation and college enrollment (Page et al., 2007).
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Accordingly, in order to understand the relationship between education and crime, the Justice Policy Institute examines the level of education completed as an indicator for violent crime rates.
Specifically, 10 states are reviewed highlighting those with the greatest and fewest number of residents that have graduated high school or continue with further education. Out of the10 states, on average, the crime rate for violence is 60% less for those with the greatest percentage of residents possessing a high school diploma or higher as compared to the other 10 states with fewer individuals who completed a similar education. Furthermore, of the 10 states with the larger percentage of education, nine have crime rates below the national average, while only four of the states with the lower percentage fell below the national rate for violent crimes (Page et al.,
2007).
Additionally, the study also compares the 10 highest ranking states for college enrollment with the 10 lowest ranking states and its association with crime statistics. Consequently, the crime rate for violent activities is, on average, lower in the states that have a greater number of college registered individuals. Moreover, the 10 states with the most college enrollees are, on average, 40% lower than the national average for violent crime rates with eight out of the 10 falling below the national average for violence. Conversely, five out of the 10 states with a reduction in college enrollment exceed the national average for violent crime rates, but collectively remain about equal to the nation (Page et al., 2007).
In addition to the correlation between education and crime, a correlation also exists between the length of education and the safety of the public. Specifically, the JPI study includes additional literature which finds that crime rates reduce when one additional year of education is added to the average number of years already completed. Thus, public safety is improved due to the reported 30% reduction in violent crime, 20% reduction in auto theft, 13% reduction in arson, and 6% reduction in theft related activities. While a reduction in criminal activity significantly benefits the community, financial benefits are also gained through an extended education. For instance, nearly five billion dollars can be saved in expenses related to crime if the number of male high school graduates increase by five percent (Page et al., 2007).
While the JPI report reveals positive and negative effects that education and the lack of has on crime rates, the study also offers insight into areas for educational improvement. For example, financial support should be allocated by states and communities to education. In return, the public gains safer, more involved neighborhoods and economic growth. As funds for incarceration continue to rise over the last 30 years, the study reveals that the amount spent on corrections has risen 2.5 times as fast as money spent on education and libraries. With more attention spent on educational achievement, the United States may no longer have the largest amount of people incarcerated in jails and prisons (Page et al., 2007).
Accordingly, in order to understand the relationship between education and crime, the Justice Policy Institute examines the level of education completed as an indicator for violent crime rates.
Specifically, 10 states are reviewed highlighting those with the greatest and fewest number of residents that have graduated high school or continue with further education. Out of the10 states, on average, the crime rate for violence is 60% less for those with the greatest percentage of residents possessing a high school diploma or higher as compared to the other 10 states with fewer individuals who completed a similar education. Furthermore, of the 10 states with the larger percentage of education, nine have crime rates below the national average, while only four of the states with the lower percentage fell below the national rate for violent crimes (Page et al.,
2007).
Additionally, the study also compares the 10 highest ranking states for college enrollment with the 10 lowest ranking states and its association with crime statistics. Consequently, the crime rate for violent activities is, on average, lower in the states that have a greater number of college registered individuals. Moreover, the 10 states with the most college enrollees are, on average, 40% lower than the national average for violent crime rates with eight out of the 10 falling below the national average for violence. Conversely, five out of the 10 states with a reduction in college enrollment exceed the national average for violent crime rates, but collectively remain about equal to the nation (Page et al., 2007).
In addition to the correlation between education and crime, a correlation also exists between the length of education and the safety of the public. Specifically, the JPI study includes additional literature which finds that crime rates reduce when one additional year of education is added to the average number of years already completed. Thus, public safety is improved due to the reported 30% reduction in violent crime, 20% reduction in auto theft, 13% reduction in arson, and 6% reduction in theft related activities. While a reduction in criminal activity significantly benefits the community, financial benefits are also gained through an extended education. For instance, nearly five billion dollars can be saved in expenses related to crime if the number of male high school graduates increase by five percent (Page et al., 2007).
While the JPI report reveals positive and negative effects that education and the lack of has on crime rates, the study also offers insight into areas for educational improvement. For example, financial support should be allocated by states and communities to education. In return, the public gains safer, more involved neighborhoods and economic growth. As funds for incarceration continue to rise over the last 30 years, the study reveals that the amount spent on corrections has risen 2.5 times as fast as money spent on education and libraries. With more attention spent on educational achievement, the United States may no longer have the largest amount of people incarcerated in jails and prisons (Page et al., 2007).