People incarcerated in women’s prisons have less access to higher education opportunities compared to men’s prisons across the U.S., according to the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonprofit that tracks educational opportunities for incarcerated people. For many people in prison, access to college courses depends on access to federal financial aid such as Pell Grants. Pell Grant-eligible courses are more accessible in men's prisons, but money isn’t the only issue. In 11 states, Vera found no college programs at all in women’s prisons. Here is why — and what could help: 📚 A law went into effect last July that fully reinstated Pell Grant access to all incarcerated individuals for the first time since 1994. Though course offerings have expanded, many incarcerated people don’t know how to apply for Pell funding. 📚 In Maryland, two bills by State Delegate Marlon Amprey were signed into law earlier this year. The laws require the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to help incarcerated people access federal Pell Grants. All 12 public colleges in the state will also eventually offer bachelor's degrees and credit-based certificates to incarcerated individuals. 📚 Many incarcerated students have full-time assigned work, which means they can only take classes later in the day. Classroom space is also limited. Goucher College in Maryland plans to build trailers at each prison they work with so classes can be held all day. It's also working with the Department of Corrections to make college a student's work assignment. |
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Welcome to my geopolitics blog site. This is a Hawaii Island news site focusing on geopolitical news, analysis, information, and commentary. I will cite a variety of sources, ranging from all sides of the political spectrum.