Early Childhood Education Reduces Criminal Activity in Later Years

Law enforcement entities are promoting early childhood education as a way to reduce crime. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Kids are our most precious resource. But according to Hinds County Prosecutor, Malcolm Harrison, the lack of a good educational foundation is causing many children to fail.

”And the goal is if you can get them in early education will they still end up on that path? I think the answer is no. We put the dollars in early education and we won’t have to put it in later in building jails and such.”

Nationwide, about 70 percent of state prison inmates drop out of school. Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin has seen those numbers come to life in his own jail facilities.

“I’ve got one filled with kids 17 and under and I’ll put them out there on the stairs and setting around and let you ask ‘em , how many of you have a male role model living at home? No hands. If you don’t have that mentoring then in most cases you’re doomed to dropout. There’s nobody that you can emulate.”

State Senator, David Blount of Jackson believes so strongly about the benefits of early childhood education that he's calling for an expansion of programs like head start and building blocks.

“Which is about improving the quality of education in daycare facilities, in church facilities, separate from the public school system. But making sure that these facilities are offering some educational instruction. Long-term I think we need to look at expanding pre-k offerings in Mississippi.

Police chiefs, sheriffs, Prosecutors and other law enforcement officers around the state are urging lawmakers to invest more funds in early childhood education. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey.