Butler County Community College started a prison education program about four years ago. The program has college professors enter the prison to lead regular classes to help inmates earn their degrees. Butler Eagle File Photo

Matt Clayton estimates that about 30% to 40% of people in the Butler County Prison do not have a high school diploma or equivalent.

As the reintegration program coordinator at the prison, Clayton works with inmates to help form a treatment plan to help reduce the potential for recidivism once their sentence is up. Education is one way to reduce that potential, he said.

“Employment is one of the biggest barriers to reducing recidivism. A lot of times you don't qualify for jobs without a GED,” he said. “The adult literacy program comes in twice a week. We put together a treatment plan where they can choose to take the plan or not.”