I recently visited two high schools and two correctional facilities. At the high schools, I observed that students are, despite what many believe about today’s young people, eager to learn and want to succeed. I wonder why this desire our children have to do well oftentimes turns into complacency, leading them down a path of self-destruction. After all, a child is born with a clean mind, clean hands and a pure heart. What happens to make these once innocent, open young people turn toward a life of violence and crime?
We can only blame ourselves. The things we put into – or do not put into – their minds ultimately determine what our children become. As we see more and more young people drop out of school and end up trapped in the criminal justice system, we cannot continue to blame them. We are failing them.
A college graduate earns substantially more money over the course of their lifetime than a high school graduate and is able to be more competitive in the job market. Yet, prison spending outpaces education spending in several states in this country. Vermont, Michigan, Oregon, Connecticut and Delaware spend more on building new prisons than they do on education. It seems as if the priority of this country is not to provide a pathway toward self-sufficiency by opening up the doors to education. Rather, we seem to intentionally steer those at risk toward the prison industrial complex.
It costs nearly $50,000 to imprison an adult for a year. A four-year degree at Michigan State University costs approximately $48,000. Knowing what a college degree can add to a person’s life and how it impacts their contributions to society, it is clear that it far more cost effective for us to focus on education and not on incarceration. But we continue to build prisons and we continue to jail people, more than any other industrialized country.
Approximately 7.3 million Americans are in prison, on parole or probation, costing taxpayers nearly $50 billion. An overwhelming number these individuals are high school dropouts who are functionally illiterate. Upon their release, they find themselves uneducated and unemployable and are oftentimes forced back into the life that led them to prison in the first place. Our lack of attention on education has created a cycle that, if we do not break, will ensure America will have a far less diverse and active workforce in coming decades, putting our economy at risk.
All young people should know that, through our efforts and actions, we believe in their potential. Spending more on prisons than schools does not show our young people we want them to succeed. Improving schools and teachers, making schools safe and providing higher education opportunities for even the poorest students does. It is critical that we capture, hone and direct the energy our young students demonstrate early on. When we focus on education, on providing opportunities, we all win.
From my perspective of things, I feel that it should also be a lot of programs for young individuals to get in to in order for them to stay busy by doing positive things in life. Instead having partial residential programs that they have out for different individuals who has physical challenges, I feel that it would be fair if they have all residential programs for all young individuals in the comunity so that they can have the same positive experience as other individuals.
Hello Judge Mathis, I agree in theory with your perception on the value of an education vs the cost of incarcerating an indivisual in prison. In reality I don’t feel a college degree can hold a candle to Hollywood smoke screens showing young minds that the real power is in the bigger dollars they can make by hustling drugs on the streets, which brings fancier cars, pretty women, nicer places to live, etc etc in comparrison to earning $40,000 to $60.000 coming out of college with a degree. I feel the entertainment industry should be more selective in the programs and videos they produce for the general public to see.
We need more selfless positive leaders that won’t allow themselves to be compromised by personal wealth and fame. President Obama came along at the right time, with the energy and words that made us, the average american take stock and believe in ourselves. But as you see, President Obama’s agenda has taken him from the speaking pulpit to the closed doors of the White House. Our dreams of a better and kinder America has been tempered and it’s back to business as usual. Things are getting back to normal. We go to work (those that still have a job), prices go up, we pay more to get less, we pay our bills, there’s hardly anything left after that. So I guess the drug dealers life must not appear to be too bad to our youth. “easy come, easy go”. I enjoyed the opportunity to express my humble opinion with you Judge Mathis, you take care.
THAT IS SO TRUE JUDGE JUST GOING THROUGH THE THINGS IM GOING THROUGH WITH MY SON AND THE SCHOOL IS TRYING. SINCE THE DAY MY SON STARTED SCHOOL HE HAS HAD PROBLEMS STAYING ON ONE TASK HE STARTED GETTING SUSPENDED IN 2ND GRADE I THOUGHT WHAT IS GOING ON NOW HE IS IN THE 9TH GRADE STILL DOING THE SAME THING AND I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED KNOW ONE NOTICE THAT MAYBE HE HAS A PROBLEM JUST AS THE REST OF THE CHILDREN I JUST GOT A IEP DONE ON HIM ONLY BECAUSE I JUST FOUND OUT THIS BRINGS TO MIND A STORY ABOUT THE SCHOOL AND DFS AND HOW SO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN ARE FALLING IN THE CRACKS THE BABY HAD BEEN ASKING FOR HELP FROM THE SCHOOL SYSTEM DFS WAS EVEN INVOLVED THE MOTHER KNOW ONE HEARD HIS CRY HE ENDED UP KILING HIS SELF IT LIKE NO ONE CARES FOR OUR BABIES AND THAT IS A SHAME A ALL THAT MONEY THE TAX PAYERS HAS TO PAY FOR INMATES JUST SAD JUDGE… I WONDER WHEN WILL IT EVER CHANGE
Amen to that!
I was reading this and I felt that I had to share a story with the world. Its more to the story but I’ll sum it all up… I feel that this is very shameful for both the kids and the parents plus our community because the justice system doesn’t work. I to can say: I was one of those kids that acted up and showed my behind but I had a reason. Well, not really because I know now I was wrong…. I was jumped by 35 to 40 kids on the school bus when I was 11 yrs old and like these kids; I to turned to hating the world, fighting, disobeying my mother…. A single parent with two kids, trying to work and provide and be on walfare all at the same time… The justice system didn’t work for me. The school system didn’t work for me… So I turned to a life of violence. Not knowing that I had PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder… I stayed in trouble alot and didn’t care…. I turned to that life of violence and crime; selling drugs. No one would hear me until I got into trouble. Sentence to see a couseler and placed on all kinds of meds. I took till I got pregant at 16 and had my son at 17 to grow up and stop fighting the world and try and make my life better. Now, looking back I was lucky. I appreciate everything that Judge Mathis has done for everyone. I all I say is keep up the good work! The kids are our future and even if there not yours try and help them out! This goes for everyone that sees a troubled child…. Help them because they really need our help, love and surport.
judge mathis you are so right. i believe the real problem today is that parents are not involved with the schools and their childrens education as they should be. i worked just like all other parents did, but i set aside a different day each week to make a surprise visit to my son’s school’s. my children didn’t know what day to expect me and neither did the school. i sat at the table when it was homework time and asked them do they understand the work, or have them explain to me their understanding of the work. i let them know the importance of a great not just good education, and arming themselves with as much knowledge as possible. all it takes parents is one day a week! let your children know you care, and you’re interested. whether they admit it or not, it makes them feel good, and don’t be afraid to talk to your children about everything. make up different scenarios, and ask them what would they do? it’s truly time for parents to start parenting, and stop blaming everything on the “systems”. love your children, and learn with them as well, it may bring back some fond memories. good luck judge mathis in all that you do i am your biggest fan!
I concur that society need to take a long look at education for our youth . We complain about their downfalls but fail to see their potentials. I’m a single parent and observe the struggle my child endure from negative and sterotype rhetoric. Wake America , we are known as the GREAT NATION, so let’s Show Our Youth Dreams are Reachable and They do come True through the best EDUCATIONAL System we can BUILD!!!!
You are so right Judge Mathis…. The parents needs to take some of this blame. It’s sad! But if a kid have on one like I did they will mess up. Drop out of school and or get pregant. I feel that it should be partly both the child (depending on age) and the parents faults. You just keep on doing what you can to help and I promise at least 2 out of 5-6 kids will change. You are a great person with a beautiful sprit and heart. Keep up the good work…
I believe the reason for incarceration is clear and it is for the purposes of legal slavery. Although at this time our President is working toward placing check and balances, those that are in authority know their motive is to gain cheap labor and will do what is required to keep it! Government has always been big in the life of individual citizens. So why not create limits for corporations? Also, without it, the the United States is taking the long way toward communism for the Republic of healthcare and Walmart. LOL… not funny but that is how I feel sometimes. What can I do to help advocate for change?
It is unfortunate for you young black men to succumb to the system of slavery through our judicial system. My sons are in this category. I was a single mother. They had love, support and guidance. I tried being their role model by going to school and getting off welfare. I got a job working as a civil servant for over 27 years. But, this didn’t prove to inspire them. They started as juveniles going in and out of the justice system. My youngest son was sentenced in the late 90’s to Life Without for a murder where there was no evidence that he was involved in this. They took the word of a Confidential Informant that supposedly saw my son with one of the guys earlier in the evening. This guy’s keys was left at the scene of the crime. But by us being poor, we coud not effectively appeal this decision. I know he wishes he had listened when I was telling him to go to school and stay out of the justice system. I have told him to see if he can get a pardon from President Obama when he leaves office. It may be a long shot, but he was convicted on his prior record with no evidence he was involved in this. My son says he is innocent of this charge.
I’m providing a link that puts the education (lack of) into perspective. I hope it’s ok to forward. It was written in 2006. The problem knows no color. The LD population suffers discrimination also (because they drag down the stats and cost money. They destroy their lives without batting an eye. And Judge Mathis, if you want to be repulsed, visit the Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury PA. You’ll also be next door to the Lewisburg Pen, Allenwood Prison and the Union County Jail. Please pass this around. I was so happy to discover it.
http://www.forumonpublicpolicy.com/archive07/admire.pdf (written by a judge)
We’re not black, but we’re grabbing onto your shirttails.
Thank you, Judge Mathis. I see so much potential in our kids today, if only they could see it. I am a single mother of six. I am a high school teacher. I teach all Business classes including Business Law. I often refer to things you have said. I have a few students that would like to become lawyers and they watch your show when they can. Sometimes they share with the class what they have seen because it relates to what we discuss in class. They find that quite interesting. I teach in a school that is more than 75% free and reduced lunch. I love my kids and they do love learning as long as they can see how it relates to them now and in the future. I try to get them to think outside the box. Set goals, follow through, dream, hope, all the positive words of encouragement. They will succeed. I have faith in them!!
I also agree with you Judge Mathis I went today for testing to become a Correctional Officer in Upper Marlboro, MD and I was told if I had any expungements on my record that it would be automatic termination and it happen 15years ago and I was also told that I can’t be a Sheriff or Deputy I’m really trying to change my life around but it’s very difficult.