Reducing Recidivism Through Education

When young people are given the right tools and support, they can break the cycle of incarceration. At Travis Hill NOLA Schools, we’ve witnessed firsthand how education plays a pivotal role in reducing recidivism and building lasting change.

Recidivism, the tendency to relapse into criminal behavior, is a complex issue influenced by factors such as poverty, trauma, lack of opportunity, and limited access to education. Our approach encourages students to see a different future, one of transformation, stability, purpose, and achievement.

Research shows that individuals who earn a high school diploma while in custody are significantly

less likely to reoffend. We go a step further by integrating real-world readiness into our academic framework: career certification, digital literacy, financial literacy, and problem-solving skills are woven into daily instruction. 

Through Travis Hill Rises, our transition program, students are supported in their reentry into the community. Support provided by the Travis Hill Rises team includes reenrollment into community schools, job training, and employment assistance. 

Beyond statistics there are stories of hope, transformation, and success. A former graduate shared,  “I had teachers here who believed in me and made me believe in myself. Now I am enrolled in college and working with a city official learning how to help kids that are like me.”

Reducing recidivism through education isn’t just possible, it’s proven. Every lesson, every diploma earned, every personal goal achieved is a step toward ending cycles of incarceration. Travis Hill NOLA Schools exists to make those steps possible.