ABOUT US

Our Mission

At Exchange for Change, we're committed to fostering spaces for creative and intellectual exploration. We stand firm in the belief that education is a fundamental human right. Our approach values each individual voice, offering our learners a platform to share their perspectives free from the worry of stigma. We envision a world where open dialogue and mutual respect pave the way for vibrant, secure communities.

Exchange for Change offers educational and communication skills-building courses to incarcerated students to amplify and bring their voices to the outside. Through advocacy and education, Exchange for Change provides vision and understanding on both sides of the fence.

OUR VALUES

  • We provide opportunities for creative and intellectual engagement.

  • We believe in the value of every voice, and we give our students an opportunity to express themselves without the fear of being stigmatized. When everyone has the ability to listen and be heard, strong and safe communities are formed. 

  • With a pen and paper, students can become agents of social change across different communities in ways they may otherwise have never encountered.

Students

Courses

Facilitators

Institutions

Since 2014.

Educational programs within correctional facilities have been increasingly recognized as a vital component of rehabilitation efforts.

  • A central finding of our analysis is the role educational programs play in reducing recidivism. Figure 1 illustrates the potential reduction in recidivism rates afforded by educational programs within prisons. The data indicate that inmates who participate in such programs exhibit a 43% lower chance of reoffending compared to those who do not participate.

  • Prison education programs are found to be highly cost-effective. A noteworthy fiscal analysis has revealed that taxpayers save approximately four dollars in reincarceration costs for every dollar invested in prison education within the first three years post-release. This remarkable return on investment underscores the financial prudence of allocating resources toward educational services for inmates.

    When assessing the fiscal implications, it becomes clear that the annual burden of incarcerating individuals who do not participate in prison education programs is significantly higher than for those who do. Figure 2 demonstrates that providing inmates with access to educational programs can reduce overall incarceration costs, indicating a potential for long-term state savings by investing in such rehabilitative initiatives.

  • The economic impact of prisons extends beyond direct operational expenses. As shown in Figure 3, the additional costs associated with prisons that are not covered by corrections department budgets place a considerable financial strain on state resources.

Figure 1. Impact of Educational Programs on Inmate Recidivism
This pie chart displays a 43% lower recidivism rate for inmates participating in educational programs.

Figure 2. Annual Cost Comparison Between Inmate Education and Incarceration
This bar graph shows that the annual costs per inmate participating in educational programs are lesser than those not involved in such programs.

Figure 3. Unaccounted Prison Costs in State Budgets
This map details the percentage of prison costs not included in the corrections department budgets across various states.

The incorporation of educational initiatives within prison systems not only supports the reduction of recidivism but also promotes a more economically sustainable approach to incarceration. This analysis underscores the importance of continued investment in and expansion of educational opportunities for inmates as a means to foster rehabilitation and alleviate the financial burden on state economies.