Should Pell Grants for college education be available to our incarcerated citizens?

2015-08-02T15:04:34-04:00

http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/07/31/428148089/the-plan-to-give-pell-grants-to-prisoners?sc=17&f=1001

Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Attorney General Loretta Lynch made a rare joint appearance on Friday — in prison.

They visited a state-run facility in Jessup, Md., to announce a new plan meant to help some of the 700,000 inmates who are released each year.

It's a pilot program to give prisoners access to federal Pell Grants that would pay for college classes behind bars.

"The cost-benefit of this does not take a math genius to figure out," Duncan said. "We lock folks up here, $35-40,000 every single year. A Pell Grant is less than $6,000 each year."

Here's a bit more math that Duncan uses to make his case: Of those 700,000 prisoners released each year, more than 40 percent will be back behind bars within three years.

Duncan's plan involves persuading colleges and universities to run classes inside prison and giving prisoners Pell Grants to help pay for it all. The pilot will last roughly five years and focus on prisoners due to be released in that time. Many other details have yet to be worked out, including what colleges and prisons will participate and how many prisoners will benefit.

"We think this is a small, small investment that will pay extraordinary dividends," Duncan said. "Not just financially. But in terms of making our streets and our community safer."

Because this is — officially — an experiment, the express purpose is to gather data. But there's already some pretty strong data.

"We are at the point where the debate no longer should be about whether or not prison education is effective. Clearly, we have more than demonstrated that," says Lois Davis, lead author of an influential Rand Corp. study. "We estimate that for every dollar invested in prison education programs, this saves taxpayers on average $5."

Davis found that, when an inmate takes college classes, he's 16 percent less likely to return to prison. In her words — "a very dramatic reduction."

But not everyone's convinced.

"It's an affront to taxpayers and parents," says U.S. Rep. Chris Collins.

Earlier this week, the New York Republican introduced a bill in the House that would block Duncan's plan. Collins isn't necessarily arguing with the data. He just doesn't think taxpayers should have to pay for it.

"There is a limited pot of money, which means that the Pell Grant is not going to a middle-class family struggling to pay tuition," Collins says.

Though, technically, anyone who meets the grant criteria and applies will get help, Collins insists "it's still monies that the taxpayers are providing. Monies that could be better spent in other areas."

Two decades ago, Congress voted to cut off access to Pell Grants for state and federal prisoners. Which is why Secretary Duncan's plan — allowed by a separate law — is just a small-scale experiment for research purposes.

As for his hopes that Congress will rollback the ban entirely?

"Congress, you know, doesn't do much these days, unfortunately," Duncan said. "We can't wait on Congress."

Meanwhile, Collins' bill to stop the new program has gone to committee, where it's hard to know what — if anything — will come of it.

The Plan To Give Pell Grants To Prisoners

The Obama administration unveiled a pilot program Friday morning that will once again give some prisoners access to Pell Grants, a form of federal student aid.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 3:09 PM

2015-08-02T15:09:39-04:00

I think it would be helpful to draw down on the amount of incarcerated citizens, however there should be a strict screening process on individuals to make sure that the funds are being properly used. I also feel in my personal opinion that individuals who fall under the age limit for the pull grant and who do not qualify for the program should be given the priority to apply before convicts. My only question is we are having so many budget cutbacks that even our outgoing Chief of Staff for the Army has said we are fine drastically behind on the curb and leaving ourselves vulnerable, is giving convicts the Pell Grant really a priority over our nation security with the continuous sequestration?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 3:31 PM

2015-08-02T15:31:19-04:00

Why not issue a 9mm when the get out to protect our streets. What is wrong with our country, that we even think this way? When you go to jail, do not pass go. You loose privileges, you are suppose feel hurt, pain, until you feel some kind of remorse, then a parole board will figure it out. if you complete your sentence, then earn the privilege back. No one ever said prison is "a walk in the park". Again, it is suppose to hurt, that's why people get sent there. God help me, I'm ranting. i think everyone knows what I'm saying...NO, NO, NO and hell NO. Don't give prisoners a Pell Grant.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 2 at 2015 3:50 PM

2015-08-02T15:50:48-04:00

Stepping away from gut reactions.

Crime, in many cases is a "Socio-Economic" phenomena. One of the best ways to combat that is through Education.

This is "figuratively" curing the problem instead of treating the symptoms.

Rather than spending $6000 on Police, or Incarceration, or reactive measures, it is an attempt to spend it on a Proactive measure which will eliminate the problem at it's root, reducing repeat offenders.

"If" the correlation was $1:$1, then it would be worth it in the long run, as FOUR Years of Undergraduate studies are greater moneys spent than a lifetime of moneys spent keeping someone behind bars. "If" the returns are greater, as their theory suggest, this becomes a no-brainer.

Now, I understand the idea of spending money on prisoners is horrid to many, however, we've already decided that the cost is irrelevant. We've decided that these people must be removed from society whatever the cost. Cost becomes moot once you decide that, lest we would have just had them pay a fine. Therefore, quibbling over $6000/year is just arguing about minutia. It's like arguing about how much the Death Penalty costs. It's a non-issue.

But, one of the purposes of our Justice system is "supposed" to be rehabilitation. Not just punishment. If there is no rehabilitation, then why are we even bothering, we'll just see ALL criminals back shortly, and we may as well, give everyone life sentences from the get go. Education needs to be a component of that.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Aug 2 at 2015 4:49 PM

2015-08-02T16:49:10-04:00

I can see a pell grant to a deserving felon after they had done their time and had kept clean for a given length of time. But give them free education while in prison? No way....

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Aug 2 at 2015 5:03 PM

2015-08-02T17:03:33-04:00

As far as rehabilitation goes, I agree with providing the grant, as long as there is an appropriate "approval" process in place to give it to those who have the aptitude and the willingness to effectively use it, kind of like a parole board... Lets face it, some of these guys/gals will never leave leave prison, and others, rehabilitation is a moot point... but there are some that will be returning to society, as well as early releasees(?) that could really benefit from this... I think the decision to grant this on a case by case basis would be a good incentive and indicator as to whether the prisoner is really serious about rehabilitation and continuing/furthering their education. And yes, I'm also aware this has the potential to produce some pretty well educated repeat offenders, but I still think it would be worth it...

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Aug 2 at 2015 6:23 PM

2015-08-02T18:23:52-04:00

Yes...the more a person is educated...the less likely they are to engage in crime.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 3 at 2015 7:52 AM

2015-08-03T07:52:23-04:00

Absolutely no. Why should criminals get something over a law abiding citizen?

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 8:20 AM

2015-08-03T08:20:35-04:00

I personally would rather see the money go to helping Veterans who are trying to go back to school and transition into civilian life vs. convicted felons.
I also think that with so many budget cuts, these programs like this providing additional monies should be placed on hold until there is a better idea of the budget because right now, it's like writing a bad check. Where's the funding going to come from. I'm a federal worker who is looking at a possible furlough again. There's already rumblings about sequestration on the Hill. Absolutely not.