The prison system is a source of debate and criticism. Many people would agree that prisons are effective because they keep criminals deemed dangerous away from society. Of course, there are different levels of offenders requiring a higher or lower level of security. Moore Solomon, a criminal justice reporter at the New York Times and former staff writer at the Los Angeles Times, states that "140,610 of the 2.3 million inmates held in jails and prisons across the country are serving time in perpetuity” (Solomon). Such a high number of incarcerations would indicate that most inmates have been or will be released into society after serving their sentences. With so many former inmates reentering society, the U.S. prison system should continue to utilize educational rehabilitation because it increases the effectiveness of individuals reentering society, thereby reducing recidivism rates and prison costs. One of the main reasons for prison education. Rehabilitation programs increase the effectiveness of the individual's return to society. Many programs currently available to inmates, such as substance abuse treatment, victim-offender mediation, juvenile boot camps, conjugal visits, and contemplative programs, all help overcome problems and difficulties. addictions, which is very important, but more attention should be paid to education. . Education is so important because many inmates have difficulty reentering society smoothly after spending so long behind bars. Although partially effective, many of our prison rehabilitation programs should be better managed with an emphasis on education. Lin, Ann C, in her book "Reform in the Making", writes: Unfortunately, the programs available in most prisons...... middle of paper ...... American Prisons: Opposing Views . Ed. Romain Espejo. Me. Scott Barbour. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 2002. Print.Sophie. "College Prison Education Programs | NerdScholar." Compare the best: Credit cards | Car insurance | CD prices | Savings | Brokerages | Mortgages. NerdWallet, Inc. July 11, 2013. Web. April 1, 2014. “Support Legislation to Modernize Drug Sentencing Policy and Reduce Mandatory Bonds” Travis, Jeremy. But they all come back: facing the challenges of prisoner re-entry. Washington, DC: Urban Institute Press, 2005. Print. Ulf, Frolander Monica. Michael F Yates. Prisons. Ed. James Haley. Me Helen Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Print. “Why education in prison? | Prison Studies Project - Teaching, Research and Awareness." Prison Studies Project - Teaching, Research and Awareness. Gryqeil. nd Web. March 22. 2014.