From [HERE] An effort to incentivize Colorado prisoners to pursue higher education took a major step forward on Tuesday, receiving near-unanimous approval from the state House of Representatives. 

House Bill 1037 would deduct six months from an inmate’s prison sentence for earning a certificate while incarcerated, one year for an associate or bachelor’s degree, 18 months for a master's degree and two years for a doctorate degree. The program would only apply to non-violent offenders. Prisoners released prior to completing their degree could finish to earn time off of parole. 

The bill will next need approval from the Senate and governor before taking effect. 

"Getting them connected to education lowers recidivism and helps them get their lives back on track," said bill sponsor Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, who worked at the Adams State University Prison Education Program before being elected. "They become productive members of society and that's better for all of Colorado."

Proponents of the bill said providing prisoners with education gives them hope for their future and makes them more qualified for jobs when they get released, preventing them from reoffending. 

Colorado currently has among the worst recidivism rates in the country, with over 50% of people released from prison ending up back behind bars within three years. 

Prisoners who pursue higher education while incarcerated have been found to be less likely to return to crime after they’re released. Recidivism rates drop to 13.7% for prisoners who earned associates degrees, 5.6% for those who earned bachelor’s degrees and 0% for those who earned master’s degrees, according to a 2006 national analysis by Emory University.

“This is a program that will help decrease recidivism in non-violent offenders, which will make our communities safer," said bill sponsor Rep. Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs. "There is no additional cost to the people of Colorado. It is good public policy.” [MORE]