Christopher Zoukis, College for Convicts:  the case for higher education in American prisons (2014).  Mr. Zoukis knows what he’s writing about;  he has published numerous books that offer aid and advice to inmates, and this recent book is especially useful and important.

First he investigates the reasons why America should invest time, money, and aid to inmates.  His historical perspective, his in-depth analysis of shifting federal law, and his chapters on improving the educational opportunities for inmates should be required reading for each legislator–federal and state.  He reminds us that the majority of those imprisoned will eventually rejoin society, and society needs educated workers who can contribute.  But the loss of Pell Grants and the overall attitudes within the jails and prisons make getting an education almost impossible.

Zoukis offers solutions.  From in-prison classes to distance learning to options for financing to ‘thinking outside the box,’ he offers something that can spur inmates to remember that they are indeed still human, still capable of learning, still able to take that next step to Outside World success.

The Appendices are especially useful:  BOP Programs, prisoner publications, funding options, free/discounted books for prisoners, and a really terrific Question and Answer section that covers everything I tried to imagine as I was reading.

Get this book.  It will inspire you and educate you.  Thank you, Mr. Z!