National Education Month shines a light on the transformative power of learning. For both of us, education within correctional facilities is profoundly personal. One spent 17 years building programs, while the other served 31 years, recognizing learning as a lifeline. Decades ago, prison education was limited, reaching only a fraction of the population due to staffing shortages and physical constraints. That’s changing, thanks to secure digital platforms.
Through controlled tablet systems, incarcerated learners can engage in academic, vocational, and rehabilitative programs, removing longstanding barriers. This mirrors the COVID-19 shift to remote learning. Tablets allow individuals to learn at their own pace and schedule, providing a flexible, inclusive model. Securus Technologies, informed by my experience, offers a complete learning platform with thousands of courses, from literacy to graduate-level content. Over 630,000 individuals have used the platform, completing 2.8 million courses and logging over 21 million hours of learning—a testament to progress.
Stories like Suave’s—who taught himself to read in solitary confinement and earned a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University—highlight how technology opens doors. These secure platforms bridge the digital divide, helping learners rebuild confidence and preparing them for reentry. Studies show that incarcerated individuals who participate in education programs are 43 percent less likely to recidivate. Investment in correctional education, like Florida’s $94 million allocation, reflects a growing recognition that learning is a necessity, leading to safer, stronger communities. Secure technology is revolutionizing access, making education the norm—a bridge to opportunity for learners and a key to institutional stability.