Recidivism is the return to criminal behavior, and consequently a return to prison, of a former prisoner who has already served in incarceration for a criminal conviction. In the United States, most burglars and common thieves have a recidivist rate above 70%. Studies have shown that, when available, those incarcerated burglars and thieves who pursue post-secondary education while in prison have substantially lower recidivism rates. Therefore, the government should fund programs that assist incarcerated burglars and thieves in pursuing higher education, especially since ___________________________.

Which of the following most logically completes the passage?

A:right now, only an extremely small percentage of all incarcerated burglars and thieves have studied sociology, which examines recidivism

B:a wider education would allow those currently incarcerated to understand and appreciate the high incidence of recidivism

C:the cost of providing a complete post-secondary education would almost double the yearly costs associated with keeping that person incarcerated

D:higher educational level provides wider job opportunities, and according to studies, poverty is one of the chief causes of recidivism.

E:convicts with certain mental illnesses tend to lapse into recidivism regardless of the opportunities and support they encounter upon their release