Prison Pell Grants

Guest: Robert Bozick, Ph.D., Sociologist at the Research and Development Corporation  The Obama Administration is moving to reverse a 20-year-old policy prohibiting prison inmates from receiving federal Pell Grants to pursue college degrees behind bars. Technically, such a change requires Congressional approval, so the US Department of Education is initially embarking only on a pilot program.  In announcing the plan, Education Secretary Arne Duncan called America “a nation of second chances.” He said helping inmates get a degree will reduce their chances of landing back in prison and ultimately save taxpayers money.