“Education on a Leash: How Colorado Chains Knowledge to Control”
They say education is the key to rehabilitation. They say it’s a path to transformation, self-worth, and new beginnings. But inside Colorado’s prison system, education isn’t a right. It’s a reward. And like everything else under the incentive model, it’s not given freely—it’s weaponized. Here, knowledge isn’t light. It’s leverage. And if you want it, you’d better crawl for it. The Illusion of Opportunity Ask the Department of Corrections about rehabilitation and they’ll proudly tell you about their college programs, vocational training, and GED access. They’ll point to stats, press releases, and maybe even a few success stories. But what they won’t say is this: In Colorado prisons, education is locked behind behavioral compliance. You don’t get into a college program because you’re ready to change. You get in because you haven’t had a write-up in X months. Because you’ve been cleared by a case manager. Because your housing status meets the shifting definition of...
