Dr Breea Willingham discusses Prison Education

As things return to normal in the coming months, Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh is hoping to offer classes in two New York State prisons for the first time in 25 years. Dr. Breea Willingham, a criminal justice professor at SUNY Plattsburgh, says the proof is in the numbers. A recent report from RAND says inmates who participate in educational programs behind bars are 43% less likely to return to prison. John Mockry, the Chair of the Criminal Justice Department at Clinton Community College says the college is now in the second phase of applying for the federal “Second Chances Pell Grant” that would fund classes for inmates at the Clinton and Altona prisons.