According to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the US spends an average of $31,286 per year on each inmate. In contrast, K-12 schools spend an average of $12,756 per student annually. This means the US spends more than double on each inmate than on each student. The disparity is significant compared to global benchmarks, where the average public education spending per pupil is $15,680 annually. 

“The disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system on communities of color is deeply troubling.”

Mike Brickner, senior policy director at the American Civil Liberties Union of Delaware.

“We’re pretty much middle of the road average, you know, in terms of how much money we raise and spend per student in the state of Ohio”

Scott DiMauro, President of the Ohio Education Association.

The racial disparities in graduation and incarceration rates are another major issue that highlights the need for a complete overhaul of both the education and criminal justice systems in the U.S. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that one out of every three Black boys born today can expect to go to prison in their lifetime, compared to one out of every 17 White boys. Furthermore, white students have an 84% graduation rate, compared to 72% for Black students and 75% for Latino students. These statistics highlight the need for a complete overhaul of both the education and criminal justice systems in the U.S.

“The disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system on communities of color is deeply troubling,” says Mike Brickner, senior policy director at the American Civil Liberties Union of Delaware. “We need to be investing in alternatives to incarceration, such as mental health and drug treatment programs, that can help individuals get back on their feet and become productive members of society.”

Melissa Cropper, the President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, notes that “in higher poverty areas, you might have more students who are further behind or who have some kind of learning disabilities at a higher rate than you might see in wealthier districts.”” Cropper adds that everything within the education system is based upon having adequate funding, “Having the right amount of money to address those needs is critical,” Demonstrating the importance of proper funding for education to provide necessary resources and support to students.

“I think a better alternative would be for the state to fund schools 100%.”

Jeff Chambers. President of the Ohio School Board Association.

“In higher poverty areas, you might have more students who are further behind or who have some kind of learning disabilities.”

Melissa Cropper, president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers.

In 2002, a landmark Supreme Court case ruled that Ohio’s school funding system was unconstitutional and required the state to overhaul its education system to provide more equitable funding. However, funding for the prison system has received a different level of scrutiny. Ohio’s primary source of school funding comes from the state’s general revenue fund, allocated based on property taxes. This reliance on property taxes can create significant funding disparities between districts, negatively impacting the quality of education in some areas.

“We’re pretty much middle of the road average, you know, in terms of how much money we raise and spend per student in the state of Ohio,” Says Scott DiMauro, President of the Ohio Education Association, “compared to the rest of the state, compared to the rest of the country disproportionately that funding the funding load is on the local level.”

“I think a better alternative would be for the state to fund schools 100%,” Jeff Chambers president of the Ohio School Board Association says. While there have been efforts to address this issue, such as the Ohio Supreme Court’s ruling in DeRolph v. State that declared the state’s school funding system unconstitutional, more work is necessary to ensure all Ohio students have access to high-quality education.

“in higher poverty areas, you might have more students who are further behind or who have some kind of learning disabilities at a higher rate than you might see in wealthier districts,” Cropper says. “Having the right amount of money to address those needs is critical,” Cropper adds that everything within the education system is based upon having adequate funding. Highlighting the importance of proper funding for education to provide necessary resources and support to students.

“Our school districts are facing a number of pressing issues, including outdated facilities, teacher shortages, and a lack of resources for students with special needs,” says Jeff Chambers of the Ohio School Board Association. “We could to address these issues by increasing funding for our schools.”

The fair school funding plan in Ohio is a critical part of the discussion on reducing incarceration rates and increasing graduation rates among minority students. This plan provides funding to schools based on the essential components of a high-quality education rather than a residual amount of funding. The project was implemented two years ago as a response to the Ohio Supreme Court’s ruling that the state’s education funding system was unconstitutional.

While the fair school funding plan has been declared constitutional and is based on current data and the essential education components that need to be funded, the Ohio House has approved the plan for the next two years. However, it still needs to be approved by the Senate and signed into law by the Governor.

In addition to fair funding for education, there are also calls for investment in programs and services that can address the root causes of criminal behavior, such as mental health and substance abuse treatment, job training, and affordable housing. By investing in these types of programs, the hope is that individuals will be less likely to engage in criminal activity and more likely to become productive members of society.

The issue of education and incarceration spending in the U.S. is complex and multifaceted, with systemic problems that need to be addressed. By prioritizing fair funding for education and investing in programs that can handle the root causes of criminal behavior, it is possible to reduce incarceration rates and increase graduation rates, particularly among minority students. It’s worth noting that Cropper and DiMauro, have both actively advocated for increased funding for public schools in Ohio.

Cropper has been a strong advocate for the appropriate school funding plan and has actively worked to ensure that all students in Ohio have access to high-quality education. She says, “having the right amount of money to address [students’] needs is critical” and has emphasized the importance of proper funding for education. DiMauro has also been a vocal supporter of the fair school funding plan and has worked to promote increased funding for public schools in Ohio.

As mentioned earlier, the fair school funding plan was implemented as a response to the Ohio Supreme Court’s ruling that the state’s education funding system was unconstitutional. This plan provides funding to schools based on the essential components of a high-quality education rather than a residual amount of funding, which was the previous funding model.

Cropper and DiMauro recognize that adequate funding is essential to providing high-quality education and reducing disparities in graduation and incarceration rates among minority students. They have been vocal advocates for increased funding for public schools in Ohio and have worked to promote policies that prioritize education over incarceration.

The issue of education and incarceration spending in the United States is complex and multifaceted. The United States incarcerates more of its citizens than any other country in the world, which is a cause for concern, particularly when compared to global benchmarks. Racial disparities in graduation and incarceration rates highlight the need for a complete overhaul of both the education and criminal justice systems in the U.S.

The fair school funding plan in Ohio is a critical part of the discussion on reducing incarceration rates and increasing graduation rates among minority students. This plan provides funding to schools based on the essential components of a high-quality education rather than a residual amount of funding, which was the previous funding model. Advocates like Melissa Cropper and Scott DiMauro have been actively involved in promoting increased funding for public schools in Ohio and have worked to ensure that all students in Ohio have access to high-quality education.