Illiteracy is widespread throughout the US incarceration system with more than 55% of inmates unable to read and write. Furthermore, research shows that more than 85% of juvenile delinquents are functionally illiterate. Overall, the United States ranks 16th out of 23 countries in terms of literacy as measured in a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
More about illiteracy:
- Studies show that in the US, the risk of returning to prison for an inmate decreases from 70% to 16% if he or she receives literacy help.
- India and China are home to more than 50% of the world's non-literates.
- The worldwide adult literacy rate is 84%, according to a 2010 study.