One of the most important things education can teach inmates is to write and read. According to a study carried out in 2010, 85% of incarcerated minors are “functionally illiterate”, and 60% of prisoners are also illiterate (Rosario). Literacy is the key to keeping not only children out of the prison system, but adults as well. This is important not only from an educational point of view; but also from a mental health point of view. One of the most therapeutic ways to express emotions and thoughts is to write them down and get them out of the person's head. These skills are also useful when dealing with other people. A basic understanding can prevent people from being manipulated based on ignorance. The ability to read and write is an essential part of becoming a functioning, productive, and beneficial member of society as a whole. Studies have shown that approximately 70% of people who do not receive literacy support after release from prison will return; while only 16% of former prisoners will return if they receive help with reading and writing (Rosario). With numbers like that, it's impossible not to see the correlation between education and avoiding prison. Educational programs are available today in our current prison system, but they are not plentiful and they are not taken as seriously as they should be. If these programs gain importance in the