Education vs. Incarceration: The Real Cost of Failing Our Kids

Education vs. Incarceration: The Real Cost of Failing Our Kids

Premieres Tuesday, May 3 at 9 p.m. on Connecticut Public Television (CPTV); with an encore broadcast on Tuesday, May 17 at 11 p.m.

For the first time in recent history, five states now spend more money on incarceration than education.

Connecticut is one of those states.

It costs approximately $12,000 per year to keep a student in school in Connecticut. It costs more than $31,000 a year to keep an individual in prison. From 1987 to 2006, Connecticut more than tripled its General Fund spending on corrections, from $193 million $661 million. Over the same 20-year period, the state’s General Fund spending on higher education increased far less dramatically—from $557 million to $644 million.

Education vs. Incarceration: The Real Cost of Failing Our Kids, a new CPTV Original, examines this alarming trend which threatens the state’s future. Produced as part of Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network’s Today’s Children in Tomorrow’s World initiative, a Connecting Our Communities project, the documentary premieres Tuesday, May 3 at 9 p.m. on Connecticut Public Television (CPTV), with an encore broadcast on Tuesday, May 17 at 11 p.m. Education vs. Incarceration encompasses not only a one-hour documentary, but also a town meeting and a community outreach project.

Education vs. Incarceration: The Real Cost of Failing Our Kids is a CPTV Connecting Our Communities Initiative funded by the Connecticut State University System with additional support provided by Travelers and the Vince & Linda McMahon Family Foundation. 

Education vs. Incarceration strives to educate viewers, community leaders, business leaders and policymakers about the critical topics of early childhood education, diversion of teenagers from the Juvenile Justice system, as well as the very real economic, social and human costs of providing children with an inadequate education. As the state faces serious fiscal and budgetary challenges, this topic is more important than ever.

Education vs. Incarceration examines how socioeconomic factors, geography and race affect those who come into contact with the Justice system, and the effectiveness of intervening in children’s lives to get them the help they need in order to succeed in school and in life.

“The harsh reality is that missed investments in education end up costing considerably more in both human terms and dollars.  There are few more impactful decisions, in the short-term and long-term, than placing a greater priority on advancing educational opportunities for every student from day one, and sustaining that commitment every step of the way,” said Louise H. Feroe, the Acting Chancellor of the Connecticut State University System.  “In large measure, Connecticut’s future rests on the priorities we set today, and this program effectively documents the choices and consequences.”

“Our long-term commitment to the education and enrichment of young people made support of CPTV’s documentary, Education vs. Incarceration, a natural,” said Linda McMahon of the Vince & Linda McMahon Family Foundation. “It is our hope that this important and insightful look at Connecticut’s educational challenges and fiscal priorities will inspire meaningful change.”

“Travelers supports the Education vs. Incarceration documentary and its efforts to inform viewers, community, business and government leaders about the importance of education,” said Tara Spain, Director of Community Relations.  “Recognizing that today’s youth are tomorrow’s workforce, Travelers has invested more than $30 million in educational programs since 2007, and remains committed to the cause here in Connecticut as well as select markets across the country.”

The documentary examines how education, family support, and prevention programs will ensure an educated, productive citizenry as Connecticut seeks to compete in the global marketplace. And observe the positive difference a responsible society can make in the lives of its most vulnerable citizens, as we hear from those children who have turned their lives around.

Producer: Cathy Jackman

Executive Producer: Jennifer Boyd