Between 1985 and 2000 the increase in state spending on corrections was nearly double that of the increase to higher education ($20 billion on corrections, $10.7 billion on higher education). (From Cellblocks or Classrooms” Justice Policy Institute, 2003)
During the last two decades of the millennium, corrections’ share of all state and local spending grew by 104%, while higher education’s share of all state and local spending dropped by 21%.(From Cellblocks or Classrooms” Justice Policy Institute, 2003)
Nearly one third of all public school students fail to graduate with their class.- The graduation rate for Black, Hispanic and Native American students is about 50 percent. (“The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts,” March 2006)
High school dropouts are more than three times more likely than high school graduates to be arrested in their lifetime (Alliance for Excellent Education, 2003).
Nearly 80 percent of individuals in prison do not have a high school diploma. (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 1995)
In 2000, there were more African American men in prison and jail (791,600) than were in higher education (603,000) .(From Cellblocks or Classrooms” Justice Policy Institute, 2003)
Violent crime in 2002 was at its lowest level ever recorded. (1)
Property crime has been on a steady decline since 1974.(2)
Every year a prisoner spends in prison costs taxpayers an average of $22,000. (3)
(1) US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics (hereinafter BJS). Violent Crime Rate Trends <http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/tables/viortrdtab.htm> viewed April 17, 2004
(2) BJS, Property Crime Trends,<http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/house2.htm> viewed April 17, 2004.
(3) Zimbardo, Phillip. November 1994. Transforming California’s Prisons Into Expensive Old Age Homes for Felons. San Francisco: Center on Juvenile andCriminal Justice.
Take Action to Stop Pushouts
* ENI organizes campaigns with community organizations, school districts and city governments to implement the 4-Point Plan to Stop Pushouts
* ENI assists families whose children are facing expulsions and suspensions. ENI organizers accompany families to hearings and provide trainings on student rights.
* ENI uses various forms of media, performing art, radio, television, internet, and newspapers to give voice to and educate young people and the broader public about Pushouts.
* ENI works to stop public school closures.