Prisons vs. Education: What’s Wrong with this Picture
|
Posted By: Stephen Jones on September 22, 2009 The other day I picked up my local Philadelphia newspaper and I read an article which stated that Pennsylvania intends to build four new prisons for 800 million dollars. Did you know that it also takes $50,000 a year to house a prisoner? When I read this I was upset that it was so easy to build four new prisons. I knew that Governor Rendell had spent 3 months trying to get the state budget passed because he refused to put education on the chopping block. The State of Pennsylvania could educate 5 children rather than put one man or women in prison. It seems like our country’s priorities are all twisted. Other countries are investing in education and they are experiencing expansion while America is in a state of decline. Pennsylvania was not the only state to assess its commitment to education. Students in California and other states are experiencing overcrowded classes and bus services have been cut. Students don’t vote so they are an easy target for budget cuts. The majority of children in the United States need a better education than they are experiencing right know. Filling prisons is not the solution to our problem. Too many prisoners are high school drop out. In fact they need an education if they are to change their circumstances and not return to prison after they are released. When is this country going to face the reality that a major solution to our economic crisis is right in our own communities? There are children who need access to better instruction and they need parents who are not in a prison cell. Too many grandparents are raising children because they have no choice. It is difficult for grandparents to provide the resources and guidance that growing teenagers need. Parents need to play an active role in their child’s education at all K12 levels. Expanding prisons is not the solution to the economic crisis. A prison my generate jobs but it does not compare to what a well educated entrepreneur can do. We need to choose business development and job creation in areas where jobs have been depleted. Why not build new schools with modern technology that will lead to more sophisticated instruction and students who are prepared to succeed in college. Many of the schools in Philadelphia are over 50 years old and the maintenance expenses are unreasonable. These old buildings are not the best places for students to learn. It’s time to make education a priority in every state. If we continue to fill our prisons with perfectly healthy young men and women we are becoming our own worst enemy. There is a tremendous amount of talent that is sitting in a cell and wasting away. Changing a young person’s potential to end up in prison starts at birth. Children need to develop an early passion for reading and learning. Parents can be a major part of the solution. The future is within our grasp and we need to say no to prisons and yes to education. Dr Stephen Jones is an education coach and author of Seven Secrets of How to Study, Parent's Ultimate Education Guide and the Ultimate Scholarship Guide available at www.studyskills2u.com If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Stephen Jones
Associate Dean College of Engineering Villanova Un, SAJ Publishing, www.studyskills2u.com Howard University class of 1983 Member Since May 2005 |
Comments
 |
Hello to everyone, Why is any one of you baffled about prison versus education? Does not statistics show Black Americans to have the lowest educational level of all other ethnicities in White America? Have not Black Americans been wrestling with White America for a White education long before immigrants arrived in this country? If you all are rational thinkers, you have only to two conclusions. Firstly, White America has no interest to better their former slaves, Black Americans, or perhaps we are still slaves but a different kind of slave today. Secondly, based on the first conclusion it should be obvious that the prisons are for Black Americans. Black Americans already have the highest rate of incarceration. Consequentially, Blacks are all ready a custom to being in jail. Then, perhaps the prisons will be the new manufacturing factories to replace the factories that have went overseas since factory jobs will never return to this country. I told you all before and I will tell you again that Black America’s only permanent solution is to desire to become a sovereign people or have complete independence from White America on a portion of this continent that we could call a very own country with borders. I am the away, and besides me, there is no other way. What say you? Wednesday, September 23rd 2009 at 1:53AM |
 |
Brother Jones, I was always told to follow the money and if I recall correctly...prisons are big $$. It's a very sad reality, but people are sold out on greed and capitalism at the expense our young children more times than not. God help us all. Wednesday, September 23rd 2009 at 10:58AM |
|
Hello Jones, Did you delete my comment? I responded to Ms. Fad’s comment on this blog and now it is not there. What say you? Thursday, September 24th 2009 at 7:00PM |
More From This Author
Latest Blogs
 |
Keeping the Faith!!!! 10 Videos, MindMap, CheetSheet, and so much more to discuss FAITH!!!!https://learners.juniquesadservice.com/courses/offers/21e32619-5774-44e2-93d9-a3df7d93a778
Welcome to the course for You!!! Keep The Faith
Video 0- Introduction
Video 1 Why Faith is So Import ...more
rickey johnson • 51 Views • February 9th, 2026 |
 |
RON CARTER & RICKY DILLARD Is Taking Church To The Jazz Club With New Single "Open My Eyes"@RONCARTER #RONCARTER@RICKYDILLARD #RICKYDILLARDLegendary in the genres of Jazz and Gospel music, the "Maestro" Ron Carter and the "Choirmaster" Ricky Dillard are taking church to the Jazz club with t ...more
LaMarr Blackmon • 44 Views • February 9th, 2026 |
 |
Who were the Original Founders of YouTube?Hello everyone! Welcome back to the Lifehack Academy. In this video, I'm happy to explain who were the original founders of youtube. Let's watch till the end to know more.
On February 14, 2005, Ste ...more
How May I Help You NC • 76 Views • February 8th, 2026 |
 |
Unc, Ocho, & LT GET REAL on why Running Backs get PAID the WORST in the NFL! | NightcapShannon Sharpe, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, and NFL Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson break down why the running back position is the most undervalued in the NFL when it comes to contracts a ...more
How May I Help You NC • 67 Views • February 8th, 2026 |
 |
3rd week of spring 26 at TSUHey everyone, and welcome back to my channel! In this vlog, I’ll be documenting my third week back on campus. I’ll be discussing the high prices of contacts and glasses, taking down my mini twist and ...more
How May I Help You NC • 57 Views • February 8th, 2026 |
Popular Blogs
 |
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 70,795,705 Views • January 27th, 2009 |
 |
VISINE ALERT!!!Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 118,147 Views • May 23rd, 2009 |
 |
"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 74,769 Views • November 9th, 2006 |
 |
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing CardsVendor: Charles Jones
Item Price: $20.00
Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included
Item Description:
Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
How May I Help You NC • 61,428 Views • December 2nd, 2018 |
