Prisoners in the United States have not been eligible for tuition assistance since 1994. But today, the Obama administration announced details of the new Second Chance Pell Pilot program. It will allow federal and state inmates who are eligible for release within five years to use tax dollars to take college courses. The goal of the program is to help prisoners transition back into the workforce or classroom. Mayor de Blasio said today, "Time behind bars should be rehabilitative. The path toward a safer society starts with education." But opponents say the program rewards people who break the law and should benefit law-abiding students. What do you say? Should prisoners receive federal grant money to take college courses? Do you welcome the use of your tax dollars to rehabilitate prisoners? If you have any personal experience with someone transitioning from inmate to civilian, what were some of the challenges?
Schiumo's Thoughts
Great show tonight. We heard from six New Yorkers who spent time behind bars and turned their lives around. A little inspiration for your Friday night.
Your Thoughts
I got out of the NY state prison in 1973. I was chosen for the new program at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility work/school release program and I went to school (college)every day from prison for about 8 months while incarcerated. I turned my life around for myself and my daughter. I worked for the Fortune Society as 2 of your speakers do. I finished school and I am a nurse. I never went back to prison for anything. Being able to go back to school helped me turn my life around. So did the support of members of the Fortune Society. So I say a big YES to inmates and ex offenders being eligible for federal funds.
Sandi
I spent 5 years in the NYS prison system in the '80's.I haven't been back in over 25 years. I feel the most effective way of reducing crime is to give young children in pre-school classes in the penal law. People may know through common sense, the difference between right and wrong, but they need to see it in black and white while they're young and before they commit crimes. You'd be surprised by how many inmates don't know or didn't realize what they did was wrong, and a crime. They need to be taught what constitutes a crime, and the penalties they carry, with incarceration, and the adverse effect of a criminal record on employment opportunities. This needs to be done before they start commiting crime.
Mark
I would LOVE to address this topic but your lines are busy. I have a total of 6 felonies and AFTER my release from prison I've secured 4 college degrees. I am the Executive Director of a successful community based organization that hires ex-offenders and MANDATES them to college. Education is the ONLY way to control and eventually stop mass and sometimes senseless incarceration. Tax dollars used to rejuvenate college for inmates is a healthy idea. What better way to support the repayment of a debt to society than to educate inmates and empower them to return to the societies that they once destroyed as new agents of change. This is EXACTLY what today's youth need.
Kai
Let them take the mayor to c76to see how disgusting it is and ps there's no killer's in Riker land and if their going to spend more than 8 months in jail they should give them something to help them when they get out
Bienvenido
As a college graduate I do not think that a basic college curriculum is what would be most beneficial, and may may not even have a true high school education to be building off of. The nation's education system needs revamping, we should experiment here with some real classes and curriculums that should be tought in public schools. Classes that teaches real things that you need to survive with topics such as taxes, loans, law, government, and real issues.
David
I recently graduated from a 4 year cuny college with NO PELL ASSISTANCE and little to none other financial aid programs! My mother is the only person in my family of 3 that is financially supporting us in a one bedroom apartment. Now out of college I have over $20,000 in loan debt and can barely get an interview. I might as well go to jail for a small offense, get my bachelors degree and be debt free if thats the case. However if Obama wants prisoners to have a college education, then banned the " Have you ever been a felony" question, so that they have a chance of an education and financial assistance just like the rest of us.
Fatimah from Brooklyn
Why does this city wait for people to land in jail before we start talking about their rehabilitation & education. Fifteen years ago several correction officers tried to start a program that the correction department frowned on & the City did not care for, which was to reach out to the many elementary school children explaining how bad decisions can eventually lead to jail time, and how necessary social behavior & education is throughout life. I say if you want to improve our current jail system, we have to start investing a whole lot more in our educational system.
Charles
We need to all we can to rehabilitate the incarcerated. Giving prisons an education means that everyone wins.
Ed
I find it absolutely laughable that people think that a college degree is the solution for everything. Not everybody is interested or capable of getting a college degree. I can almost hear these government yutzes discussing this at five course fancy dinners parties, being served by white-gloved servers. Why is this the only value given to people for a way out of the revolving door or recidivism? A more secure job for anyone nowadays is a car mechanic or a plumber or IT specialist which 1) are fantastic careers 2) will allow someone to actually learn a skill they can be hired for 3) be able to integrate into society right off the bat 4) make a good living
Simone from Manhattan
I m in favor of it it only if inmates can Study in Short cost effective programs leading to employment. They must pay it ALL back.too. We need fewer non tax paying Members of society.
Jose, Woodside
Yes, I do believe this is a positive action. In addition, when the recipients of these benefits are released back into society, they should perform mandatory community service. This service should go right back to the communities that they were found to have violated. We as tax payers pay for education. Unfortunately, our education system does not produce a level playing field for many. As a result, we pay when they are young or we pay when they are old…either way society pays!
Anita USW
Hi John,
I have a Masters Degree in Computer and Information Science, a Second Masters Degree in Counseling, and a Bachelors in Psychology. I worked at Goldman Sachs, Hearst, and the Department of Education, but also have mental illness which eventually led me in 2012 into the penal system. In the past I was able to walk into any job I wanted, but with a criminal record it is next to impossible and can now crumple up my degrees and resume into a large ball and toss it in the trash. If Obama and De Blasio want to help the incarcerated, make it illegal to do background checks because a college degree will do nothing against the discrimination that an interviewee with a criminal record faces when applying for a job.
Justin, Bay Ridge
I agree with the second chance Pell program But to be fair to the tax payer It should be suggested that a payment plan is to be established once the inmate has found a job
Joe
I support this program, as I believe that education is the conduit for individuals to change their lives. Years ago I visited Rikers - I recall the aimless, shuffling around of men who seemed desperate to be engaged in activity. I would hope that an opportunity to engage in learning word help incarcerated people prepare for a better future. Society would only be improved.
Linda in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
They took value and assets, even lives, from society so why should they get what most people outside jails can't get from our tax $ ? That's not a second chance. It's a gift. Expensive gift. For people in normal life would be a first chance... Solve first the problems of people getting into high school and college and then address the others...
Andrés, Sunnyside, Queens, NY
Great idea. May change their lives and prevent them from going back to crime. Everybody needs a second chance. Better than a lot of the crackpot things taxpayers' money is used for.
Frances, EV
I WOULD INCLUDE VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS. WELDING CLASSES, DIESEL MECHANICS, AVIATION MECHANICS AND BODY REPAIR FOR PLANES AND AUTOS. COLLEGE IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, AND I BET IF YOU GIVE SOME GRANTS SO THEY MAY ATTEND COOKING CLASSES IN SCHOOLS THAT MADE A FEW FAMOUS CHEFS OPEN A FEW RESTAURANTS, IT WOULD BE CAUSE TO CELEBRATE.
JOE, BAY TERRACE
As long as it doesn't deprive anyone else of funds for their Pell grants, it's okay with me -- Senator Pell himself envisioned it just this way, incidentally.
Bruce, Upper West Side, Manhattan
Everyone deserves a chance and with the tools, such as college it gives you a chance, for a new start. Please let this go through. This changes the way a person thinks interacting with others. Hearing different views, learning new things.
Barbara
No, why should they get courses for free when people work hard and get loans and kill themselves to pay. Then make tuition free for everyone - since illegal aliens and prisoners can get it.
Esmerelda, East Village
There must be a very thorough screening test before anyone is allowed to enter this schooling. This may not be enough. Many businesses won't hire anyone who has a crime record or even have mistakenly served time.
Joe Port Richmond, SI
What about us who have never been to prison? We don't always get a free education and we have serious student loans to pay back. We should get a free education, we didn't break any laws. One man you featured killed two people and got a free education.
Jerry