Serving your sentence is not a waste of time. While an inmate is in prison, he or she has every opportunity to improve himself and prepare for his impending reentry into society. Both prisons and correctional facilities offer rehabilitation programs. These programs offer every inmate an equal opportunity to return to the outside world as a better and more productive member of society. Educational, job training, work release, drug abuse, self-help, health care, religious, and recreational programs are just a few of the hundreds of correctional programs inmates can participate in. Thanks to these programs, positive changes within an inmates' lives, as well as drastic changes in our society, are entirely within reach. Educational programs in correctional institutions began around the time correctional facilities were being introduced. William Rogers began instructing student prisoners in 1789 at Philadelphia's Walnut Street Jail. Rogers founded what is now known as the “Sabbath School.” The “Sabbath School” existed from about 1789 to 1875. During this period, members of the clergy focused on teaching reading. The clergy ensured that every inmate could read the Bible. Zebulon Brockway assisted Rogers' goal from 1876 to 1900. At Elmira Reformatory, New York, Brockway transformed the reformatory into a school for convicts. Many educated inmates began to educate other inmates, and some willing professors were called in to teach geography and natural science. In 1882 he began a summer school at the Elmira Reformatory. Rogers and Brockway pioneered educational programs in our current correctional institutions. Today, based on many facts, researchers are led to believe that correctional education...... middle of paper ......Washington: Vol. 12, Ed.12; p.2.Carter, M., Russell, K.,(2005). What is the perceived value of recreation? Results of a study of county jails. Corrections today. Lanham: Vol.67, Iss.3; P. 80. Cei, L., (2010). Faith-based programs are low-cost ways to reduce recidivism. Corrections today. Lanham: Vol.72, Iss.4; p.48.Coyne, R., Green,R.,( 2008). Standards of Care: Improving prisoner health care through performance-based outcomes. Corrections today. Lanham: Vol.70, Iss.3; p.50.Davis, L., Bozick, R., Saunders, J.(2011). Journal of Correctional Education. Lanham:Vol.62, Iss. 1;p.4.DelliCarpini, M.(2010). Journal of Correctional Education. Lanham: Vol.61, Iss.4; p.283.Shepard, J.(1999). The state reform of 1913 is a national model. Times of the capital. (Madison, WI) Tighe, F., O'Malley, K. (2010). A journey forward. American prisons. Hagerstown: Vol.24, Iss.3; P.19.