Gov. Andrew Cuomo is proposing to provide college classes in New York prisons, saying a college degree will reduce the likelihood an inmate will return to a life of crime when released.
The program will offer associate and bachelor degree education at 10 prisons, one in each region of the state.
Cuomo announced the program at a church service for the New York Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators conference Sunday morning alongside New York City mayor Bill de Blasio.
According to a Cuomo press release, New York currently spends $60,000 per year on each prisoner, and it will cost approximately $5,000 per year to educate an inmate. It did not specify the cost of the overall program.
The state will issue a Request for Proposal from qualified educational associations in March.
Cuomo Announces College Degree Programs for NY Prisoners
The program will offer associate and bachelor degree education at 10 prisons
Copyright AP - Associated Press
