Brooklyn, New York Independent & student-run Est. 2025

The New York Unity Project

A think tank staffed by high school students
NY
UP The New York Unity Project
Policy Brief· NYUP-2026-01· March 29, 2026

Reducing Recidivism Through Targeted Education and Workforce Programs

1

Within 8 years, the US has a recidivism rate of 50-70%. This represents one of the highest rates in the world and this brief lays out a plan to better prepare inmates for life outside prison.

2

This brief lays out a plan in which inmates can learn skills that will translate to the outside world while they earn money at the same time

3

Every dollar invested in correctional education saves four to five in future incarceration costs.

NYUP Research Team· Published March 2026
Read the brief Model legislation

Every brief, bill, and study on this site was researched and written by high school students.

What this site is for

This site serves as a way to allow high school students to break into the policy think tank sphere. It is increasingly hard for teenagers to break into political institutions, and the youth are often crowded out.

We aim to separate from the clickbait nature of the modern news cycle and instead engage readers on a deeper policy level, allowing high school students to write creative policy solutions and opinion pieces about prominent problems.

More on how we work →

What we work on

01Artificial intelligence. The most important and challenging topic for politicians to tackle over the next 10 years will be the rise in AI. As the regulations for AI are being crafted right now, we try and write policy that will protect the working class from exploitation at the hands of technology.AI policy
02Education and prison. To create a more equal society, we believe that the first step is to create a strong education and prison system. This pillar allows for increased upward economic mobility, bridging the wealth gap and decreasing the strain on the government.Education policy
03Economic policy. The affordability crisis is affecting every New Yorker and every American. At the New York Unity Project, we try and write creative solutions to economic problems, making the world more affordable in creative ways.Economic policy
Featured Essay· History· December 8, 2025

The History of Political Division in the United States

NYUP Writers· Full essay on this site

How did American politics get this divided? This essay serves as an introduction to political division in America so that readers can understand how we got to the place we are today. We believe that context is crucial to understand any policy problem.

Read the essay More opinion

Impact so far

Full record →
10,000We recently surpassed 10,000 total viewers on our content, showing the widespread reach of our policy writing.
LegislationWe currently have 2 pieces of legislation which are being pushed into the next congressional session.
DiscourseWe have hosted multiple events, bringing political debate and education to New York high school students.