COLLEGE INITIATIVE UPSTATE
A Learning Community
Alternative To Incarceration
College Initiative Upstate (CIU) is a learning community of students, educators, and volunteers who are working together to build pathways to and through college for justice-impacted, low-income, and non-traditional students living in Tompkins County, NY.
CIU may be the only Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) in Tompkins County with higher education at its core and the possibility for some students to have the choice of attending college instead of going to jail.
Pathway To Higher Education
Many of our prospective students come to CIU believing that they have issues that will prevent them from enrolling in college or receiving financial aid. CIU staff finds ways to resolve these issues together.
College Initiative Upstate (CIU) by the Numbers
Educational attainment is one of the most reliable predictors of reduced recidivism. Incarcerated individuals who improve their education are significantly less likely to reoffend. Over the last ten years CIU has supported (37) individuals in earning an Associate Degrees, (14) a Bachelor’s Degrees and (3) earning a Master’s Degrees.
Research shows a strong, inverse relationship between the level of education achieved and the likelihood of reoffending:
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Associate's Degree: Recidivism drops to around (13.7%).
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Bachelor's Degree: Rates fall even further, to approximately (5.6%).
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Master's Degree: Some studies observe a recidivism rate near (0%) for formerly incarcerated individuals holding an advanced degree
New York State average recidivism rate is (44%) within 3 years.
Estimated Lifetime Economic Impact of CIU Graduates: $25.7 Million+
These figures do not include:
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Increased tax contributions
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Reduced public assistance reliance
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Improved stability
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Intergenerational educational gains
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Increased self-esteem and mental wellbeing
The long-term societal impact is immeasurable.