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).
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.,