Education for Prisoners

Recently the Obama Administration announced a plan to restore access to Pell grants for prisoners in a limited capacity. Recent research conducted by the RAND Corporation (2013) has shown a positive correlation between college education or job training and reduced recidivism (re-offense rates). The more education a prisoner receives while incarcerated, the less likely he or she is to commit more crimes; up to 43% less likely! 

Of course, some object to prisoners having access to free college money when law-abiding citizens, by and large, must take out loans or work extra jobs to put their children through college. This is a valid concern and one I would have shared before coming to prison. However, if education reduces the likelihood of a convict returning to prison by 43% the taxpayers win in the long-run. 

Michigan's budget for the Department of Corrections is nearly $2 billion! Pell grants would allow prisoners access to less than $6,000 per year, and can only be used for college education. Prisoners will never have direct access to these funds. Furthermore, Michigan prisoners cost the taxpayers around $35,000 per year! A reduction in reincarceration rates as significant as this RAND study estimates could save the state significant money in the long run (a $4 to $5 return on every $1 invested). 

Legislation is currently pending in Congress to restore access to Pell grants to prisoners in a more complete way under the "Restoring Education and Learning (REAL) Act." Please ask your Congressional representative to support this important legislation. It's good for prisoners, and it's good for Michigan taxpayers.