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Reversing the School to Prison Pipeline: The Impact of an Adult High School Program

Author

Listed:
  • Merola, Emily

    (Princeton University)

  • Phillips, David

    (University of Notre Dame)

  • Turner, Patrick S

    (University of Notre Dame)

Abstract

The criminal justice system primarily arrests and incarcerates people without high school diplomas. We estimate the causal effect of a high school diploma on criminal justice system contact for a set of people who previously exited high school but then attended The Excel Center (TEC), a network of high schools for adults. Compared to those who apply but do not enroll, students who enroll but exit without a diploma do not experience a decline in criminal charges. Criminal charges for students who complete a diploma, on the other hand, decline by 49% the year following application, an effect which largely persists for at least five years. These effects are sufficiently large to increase the cost-effectiveness of the program by 2-5 times. The pattern of effects also suggests that, beyond simple incapacitation, getting an adult high school diploma itself leads to lower contact with the criminal justice system.

Suggested Citation

  • Merola, Emily & Phillips, David & Turner, Patrick S, 2025. "Reversing the School to Prison Pipeline: The Impact of an Adult High School Program," IZA Discussion Papers 18168, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18168
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    JEL classification:

    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education

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