NCJ Number
167479
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 60 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1996) Pages: 60-63
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article examines the elimination of Pell Grant funding for incarcerated students in the 1995-96 academic year and the effects on post-secondary correctional education (PSCE) programming throughout the Nation.
Abstract
The primary consequence of the elimination of Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated students has been the loss/curtailment of programs and reduction in funds for program operation. According to correctional system education directors, there are three remaining ways that inmate-students may pay for their educations: (1) other Federal (Perkins) or private foundation grants (39.1 percent of States); (2) private funds, their own or family members (21.7 percent of States); and (3) State-based education grants (15.2 percent of States). If States follow the Federal example and close their programs to prisoner participation, it could signal the end of nearly every PSCE program currently supported by State funds. The civilizing or habilitating influence of post-secondary education on generally the more vocal and leadership-oriented offenders has proven to be positively influential in the institutional milieu. The reduction of PSCE opportunities will not only affect current and potential inmate-students and society through increased recidivism, but also the administration of the Nation's already volatile prisons. Tables, notes, references