Education — Social and Economic Issues — Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

The Private Sector Weighs In on Pell Grants in Prisons

“Senator Brian Schatz, a Hawaii Democrat, has introduced legislation to overturn the ban, called the REAL Act, which has received support from organizations across the ideological spectrum. In a statement endorsing the legislation, Craig Silliman, executive vice president and chief administrative, legal and public policy officer at Verizon, cited arguments that have made the proposal popular even among conservative groups -- reduced recidivism among degree holders, cost savings for states and greater economic opportunity for students. Silliman also said restoring Pell Grants in prisons matches investments the company has made in support of tech education.“

Inside Higher Ed

October 11, 2019

EducationPhillip ReevesOctober 11, 2019Inside Higher Ed, Verizon, Brian Schatz, Pell GrantComment

Betsy DeVos backs Prison Fellowship push to increase inmates' access to college education

““Education is the ticket to the future for just about anyone and everyone,” DeVos said. “So we should be embracing these opportunities for brothers and sisters who are behind bars today who will be in our communities and with their families and giving them a means for a purpose … and giving them that kind of opportunity to pursue the next right thing for themselves.”“

The Christian Post

October 2, 2019

EducationPhillip ReevesOctober 2, 2019The Christian Post, Betsy DeVos, Prison Fellowship, Pell GrantComment

Aggression Detectors: The Unproven, Invasive Surveillance Technology Schools Are Using to Monitor Students

“Yet ProPublica’s analysis, as well as the experiences of some U.S. schools and hospitals that have used Sound Intelligence’s aggression detector, suggest that it can be less than reliable. At the heart of the device is what the company calls a machine learning algorithm. Our research found that it tends to equate aggression with rough, strained noises in a relatively high pitch, like D’Anna’s coughing.“

ProPublica

June 25, 2019

Education, PersonalismPhillip ReevesJune 25, 2019ProPublicaComment

Even violent inmates get out. Here’s why Utah’s Sen. Mike Lee and others think they should have access to college courses in prison.

“It’s an opportunity that state and federal officials hope to bring to tens of thousands of incarcerated people, though it will likely take an act of Congress. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, is pushing a bill that once again would make prisoners eligible for federal financial aid.“

Salt Lake Tribune

June 9, 2019

EducationPhillip ReevesJune 9, 2019Salt Lake Tribune, UtahComment

I Taught Myself How to Read in Prison. Then I Sued the System and Won

“More than 15 years later, I’ve filed more than a dozen pleadings in court and have been awarded almost half a million dollars by two separate juries. I won my first case after three correctional officers destroyed my legal materials and retaliated against me. “

The Marshall Project

May 24, 2019

EducationPhillip ReevesMay 24, 2019The Marshall ProjectComment

Congress Considers Making College More Accessible To People In Prison

“Inmates are among the least-educated people in America. That's despite research that shows education is one of the most effective ways to keep people from coming back to prison. Now, there's renewed interest in giving adults behind bars better access to higher education. A new bipartisan bill in Congress would allow incarcerated people to use federal Pell Grants — designed for low-income students — to pay for higher education, including college classes and workforce training.“

NPR

April 20, 2019

EducationPhillip ReevesApril 20, 2019NPR, Pell GrantComment

Congress Should Pass The REAL Act And Make Prisoners Eligible For Pell Grants Again

“Ending the ban on Pell grants for prisoners thereby making higher education more accessible for inmates is the right thing to do. And it’s the smart thing to do. Here’s the evidence, much of it contained in a recent report by the Vera Institute, generally regarded as one of the most comprehensive studies available on the topic.“

Forbes

April 15, 2019

EducationPhillip ReevesApril 15, 2019Forbes, Real Act, Pell GrantComment

Restore Pell Grant eligibility to people in prison

“How to play bridge. Current events. Crochet for beginners. These were some of the continuing “education” classes available to me and others at Cumberland Federal Prison Camp in Maryland, where I served a year and a half. High school graduates looking for more meaningful educational opportunities had few options, thanks in part to a 25-year-old ban on people in prison being eligible for Pell Grants. A bipartisan bill being introduced today would remove that ban and open the door to rehabilitation, dignity and safety for those in federal and state prisons around the country.“

The Hill

April 9, 2019

EducationPhillip ReevesApril 9, 2019The Hill, Pell GrantComment

Becoming a paralegal while incarcerated

““I came across this article in a Prison Legal News – a magazine that tells you about cases, mostly civil [cases],” Blackmon said. “Back in those years, you may have a sprinkling of a criminal case or two. I read across this little page, it was an ad, that said if you want to learn the law apply here. It was only like $59 a month. I thought, ‘I really do need to learn the law.’ So, I signed up and for $59 a month in 14 easy payments, I got a paralegal certificate.”“

Hyde Park News

February 22, 2019

EducationPhillip ReevesFebruary 22, 2019Hyde Park HeraldComment

New course to examine incarceration through public health lens

“‘In this undergraduate course, we will examine incarceration in the United States with a public health lens by examining ways in which public health researchers and practitioners can effectively respond to health-related issues associated with incarceration,’ says Sarahmona Przybyla, assistant professor and interim director of undergraduate public health programs in SPHHP.“

University of Buffalo

January 18, 2019

EducationPhillip ReevesJanuary 23, 2019University of BuffaloComment

Study urges Pell grant funding for prison education programs

“Lifting the ban on Pell Grant funding could help nearly 500,000 incarcerated people, including nearly 11,000 Georgians, according to the study by the Vera Institute of Justice and the Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality. The ban on grants to prisoners was part of the 1994 crime bill.“

Atlanta Journal Constitution

January 17, 2019

EducationPhillip ReevesJanuary 17, 2019Atlanta Journal Constitution, Pell GrantComment

Why Prison Reform Must Include Pell Grant Access

“Not every prisoner in America will want a college degree, of course. But we should insist that every prisoner who seeks one remains eligible for federal student aid, just as other citizens are. Some voters will surely bridle at the prospect of their tax dollars’ assisting offenders. But we already do that by paying huge sums to imprison people over and over again. And the best way to ensure that they don’t go back to jail is by offering them help in going to college.“

Chronicle of Higher Education

November 19, 2018

EducationPhillip ReevesNovember 19, 2018Chronicle of Higher Education, Pell GrantComment

Getting Back on Course: Educational exclusion and attainment among formerly incarcerated people

“Throughout their lives, people who serve time in prison are held back from educational opportunities, making it nearly impossible to earn the credentials they need to succeed after release. Using data from the National Former Prisoner Survey, this report reveals that formerly incarcerated people are often relegated to the lowest rungs of the educational ladder; more than half hold only a high school diploma or GED, and a quarter hold no credential at all.“

Prison Policy Initiative

October 30, 2018

EducationPhillip ReevesOctober 30, 2018Prison Policy InitiativeComment

I went from prison to professor – here’s why criminal records should not be used to keep people out of college

"My own story stands as a testament to the fact that today’s incarcerated person could become tomorrow’s professor. A person who once sold illegal drugs on the street could become tomorrow’s medical doctor. But this can only happen if such a person, and the many others in similar situations, are given the chance."

The Conversation

August 16, 2018

Economic Issues, EducationAnthony BradleyAugust 17, 2018The Conversation

Social and Economic Issues

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