Frequently Asked Questions

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The HOPE Institute serves as a resource for colleges and universities to offer accredited academic programs to penal institutions initially in Oklahoma and then in other states across the nation.

The HOPE model includes both face-to-face instruction and online coursework to offer the incarcerated student not only a sense of accomplishment but also the hope of a better future once their period of confinement is over.

With nearly two million people behind bars at any given time, the U.S. has the highest incarceration rate of any country in the world. And, in recent years, Oklahoma has been among the nation’s leaders in its high rate of incarceration, due largely in part to repeat offenders and a high rate of prison recidivism.

At the HOPE Institute, we recognize that broad access to prison education is one of the leading cures for prison recidivism. In fact, research shows that providing higher educational opportunities to incarcerated individuals reduces recidivism by up to 90% while boosting employment opportunities and income for participants once they leave prison.

Prison education programs are a net positive, both for taxpayers and former prisoners.  For every dollar spent on prison education programs, a reduction of five dollars in future incarceration costs is seen. Additionally, research shows that completion of higher education courses while in prison is the best indicator of a lifetime of success upon exiting. Significantly, the rate of success increases exponentially with the amount of higher education received.

For more information about the importance of prison education,  see the following resources:

• U.S. Department of Education
• U.S. Department of Justice
• Northwestern University
• Prison Policy Initiative 

There are many ways to join us and support our mission. Fill out our online form to find out more about volunteer opportunities, fundraising events and ways you can get our message out into your community. Or, make a tax-deductible donation here.