While attending SXSW EDU, Jobs for the Future Vice President Lucretia Murphy appeared on Austin, Texas, NBC TV station KXAN to talk about the SXSW panel discussion she took part in, “From Prison to Potential—The Role of Higher Ed.”

During the SXSW EDU session, Murphy, who leads JFF’s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement, and other experts discussed why access to education is important for people who are incarcerated, with an emphasis on higher ed in prison (HEP) programs, which have been shown to be effective in reducing recidivism.

Appearing afterward in the KXAN studio with host Jennifer Sanders, Murphy said, “Research really does show that having education while people are in prison just better equips them once they return from incarceration. They’re better able to get a job, and also have more of a sense of direction for where they want to go.”