Posted August 11, 2011 1:13 p.m.

COMMUNITIES in Schools of Pennsylvania, an affiliate of the nation’s largest dropout-prevention organization, applauds the DN for shedding light on the state prison recidivism crisis (“Half of Pa.’s inmates are rejailed within 5 years,” July 5).

As shocking as it is to learn that 55 percent of inmates end up back in prison, it’s more shocking to learn that about 75 percent of inmates don’t have a high school diploma. Three out of every four inmates in state prisons failed at some point to complete their education - in a system that receives billions of dollars each year.

It’s long past due for the state to seriously evaluate its dropout prevention programs. Today, nearly a quarter of Pennsylvania’s public school students don’t graduate on time, according to the state Education Department. History shows that many of these students who fall behind never catch up and never receive their diploma.

Other statistics concerning high school dropouts are alarming, too. Dropouts are four times more likely to be unemployed than high school graduates, and the mortality rate for adults without a high school education is 2.5 times higher than for those who graduate.

Nathan Mains President & State Director Communities In Schools of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, Pa.

See original article here: http://articles.philly.com/2011-07-15/news/29776948_1_dropouts-inmates-end-nathan-mains