Prisoners across US to receive free college education through expanded Pell Grant program

Thousands of incarcerated individuals will have access to college degrees through federal grants that overturn a longstanding ban.
Providing higher education in prisons reduces recidivism rates, improves safety, and helps individuals achieve gainful emloyment upon release.
Although expanding the Pell Grant program will cost $130 million per year, it remains under 1% of total Pell Grant spending and far less than the annual cost of incarcerating individuals.
President Biden and many universities support expanding access to college for those in prison as a means to address systemic inequities and barriers facing formerly incarcerated people.
For prisoners, a college degree can be life-changing and help end the cycle of incarceration that often spans generations.