1. TO: S.A. Godinez, Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections
FROM:Chloe Smith, citizen of DuPage county; chloesmith93@gmail.com
DATE: 3/22/13
RE: Recidivism and the Illinois Department of Corrections
______________________________________________________________________________
My name is Chloe Smith, and I am an Illinois citizen concerned with the high recidivism rates of
Illinois criminals.
Recidivism is a relapse into crime. Nationally, the recidivism rate of state prisons is 43.3% but,
in the state of Illinois the recidivism rate is 51.7%1. The first step in reducing recidivism rates
would be to implement an educational program that sets Illinois prisoners up for success upon
release.
Although the Illinois department of corrections offers a GED program and technical training for
inmates the type of education found within the Illinois prison systems should be brought to an
entirely new level. An acceptable model of a state with a thriving education program is that of
the State of Oregon. In Oregon recidivism rates of those who received no education is 26.5%,
while the rate amongst those who received an associate’s degree while incarcerated drops to
14%, and finally the recidivism rate of those who received a bachelor’s degree while in prison is
only 6%2. These numbers are far more appealing than the national recidivism rates of 43.3 %3
which is why the Illinois Department of Corrections should follow suit and offer education in
every state prison. Although many prisons offer literacy classes, GED classes, and some
technical training these are not enough. Education, either general or specialized for a trade,
allow for prisoners to learn important skills that will help them succeed; rather than just
removing them from society for an extended period of time and throwing them back with a black
mark on their record and no ability to get a job. A major contributor to the recidivism rate is the
inability for released convicts to find a sufficient job because they have little education and/or
training. A 1991 study found that only 23% of parolees who had received vocational or
educational training were re-incarcerated in a twelve month period4. The study subjects had no
prior job training or any contact with employers during their time in prison. Education can make
a large impact on recidivism rates and would be a wise investment for the Department of
Corrections to reduce the cost of corrections over time.
The annual cost per inmate in Illinois is $38, 2685. With an average of 18,409 inmates being
incarcerated each year that is an additional cost of $704,448,900.946 along with the $20,110 cost
per inmate for the incarceration process7 which is $370,204,990. Obviously this is an immense
burden on the tax payer and the Illinois Department of Corrections budget. Although education
could not guarantee every released convict would not commit another crime, again looking at
1
State of Recidivism April2011 The Revolving Door of America’s Prisons
2
Peters, Colette.
3
State of Recidivism April2011 The Revolving Door of America’s Prisons
4 Jancic, Mitchell.
5
The Price of Prisons: Illinois
6
State of Recidivism April2011 The Revolving Door of America’s Prisons
7
Godinez, S.A

2. Oregon—22.8% recidivism rate8—one can see how increasing education opportunities for
inmates can have a positive effect of recidivism rates and directly cut costs.
Although from 2012 to 2013 there was an 8.2% decrease in the Department of Corrections
budget and this is definitely a significant amount I am not asking for additional funding9. I
suggest that IDOC follow the model of Oregon and call for donations and volunteers to support
this program. I estimate the annual cost of this education program to be $24, 137,900 for the state
of Illinois—based on Oregon’s $7,000,000 annual costs and differences in state prison number
and sizes10. The program used by the State of Oregon is called “College Behind Bars”. College
Behind Bars allows prisoners participate in college courses with actual college students. The
prisoners are required to complete all of the same assignments as the regular students and once a
week students from the participating college attend class at the prison to give the prisoners a
chance to interact with other students and have a class room experience. Oregon’s program has
flourished as a result of the immense support from the community because there is such promise
in positive social change with correctional educations. Oregon has seen a 24-27% decrease in
recidivism amongst inmates who participate in 110 hours of schooling or more while
incarcerated11. A study done by the United States Department of Education found that for every
one dollar spent on education, two dollars were saved on prison costs and that those who
attended class during incarceration were 29% less likely to be reincarcerated12.
As I previously stated, reducing recidivism rates would not only have a positive economic effect
but also a positive social effect. Eddie Alves the director of education at Treasure Valley
Community College (OR) stated, “The goal is to prevent further victims, although it’s for the
inmate, it’s for the whole community13. Brigitte Amsberry, the assistant superintendent of
transition of the ODOC stated, “Education reduces recidivism, which reduces victimization—it’s
not about ‘let’s give these guys something to do.’ We’re providing education because it will
ultimately keep the public safer.14” Like all states, the crime rate in Illinois could stand to go
down a few points, increasing education within the Illinois state prisons recidivism will go down
as will the crime rate.
The state of Illinois has the potential to significantly reduce its corrections cost and positively
impact the social structure of Illinois by implementing a greater utilization of education in the
state prison systems. A reduced recidivism rate is something that with benefit all Illinois citizens
socially and financially by lessening the burden of the corrections on taxpayers and returning
able-workers to the job force when released from prison. The Department of Corrections must
recognize that something needs to be done and that this proposition allows for positive change
without high monetary costs.
I have addressed this memorandum to you because you are the Illinois Department of
Corrections board members and your support of this proposal is the first step towards bringing
change to Illinois corrections.
8
State of Recidivism April2011 The Revolving Door of America’s Prisons
9
Fiscal Year 2013 Agency Budget Fact Sheets
10
Meyer, Dawnell
11
Meyer, Dawnell
12
Foreman, Steven.
13
Keller, Jessica.
14
Aney, Kathy.

3. Sources
Aney, Kathy. "Education on the Inside: Inmates at EOCI Enroll in Classes to Prepare for Life
after Prison." The East Oregonian. N.p., 16 Dec. 2009. Web. 19 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.oregon.gov/DOC/OMR/PROGMS/docs/wfd_eoci_20091216.pdf>.
"Fiscal Year 2013 Agency Budget Fact Sheets." Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Fact Sheet. Governor
Pat Quinn, 2012. Web. 13 Apr. 2013.
Foreman, Steven. "Oregon's College Inside Program Educating Inmates." University KVAL. N.p.,
6 Dec. 2010. Web. 19 Apr. 2013. <http://university.kval.com/content/oregons-college-
inside-program-educating-inmates>.
Godinez, S.A. "IDOC: Financial Impact Statement." Illinois.gov. N.p., 2011. Web. 7 Mar. 2013.
Jancic, Mitchell. "Does Correctional Education Have an Effect on Recidivism?" JCE 49.4
(1998): 152-61. Print.
Keller, Jessica. "Grant Allows Some SRCI Inmates to Get Associates Degree." The Argus
Observer. N.p., 9 Dec. 2010. Web. 19 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.oregon.gov/DOC/OMR/PROGMS/docs/wfd_srci_20101209.pdf>.
Meyer, Dawnell. "Colette Peters Lecture." Message to the author. 22 Apr. 2013. E-mail.
Peters, Colette. "Renaissance Series." College of Saint Benedict Annual Renaissance Series.
Upper Gorecki, Saint Joseph. 21 Jan. 2013. Lecture.
"The Price of Prisons: Illinois." Vera Institute of Justice. The PEW Center on the States, Jan.
2012. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
"State of Recidivism April 2011 The Revolving Door of America’s Prisons." The Pew
Charitable Trusts - Non Profit Organization Serving the Public. N.p., Apr. 2011. Web. 5
Mar. 2013.