Ending federal ban on Pell Grants for prisoners could save Minnesota $5.7 million annually

From the Saint Cloud Times:

Arthur Rizer, director of criminal justice and civil liberties policy for the R Street Institute, said the “iron is hot” and ending the ban would be a positive way to change the criminal justice system. 

Prisoners who participate in post-secondary education programs are less likely to return to prison, lowering incarceration costs. But only 9 percent of incarcerated people in the U.S. complete a post-secondary program in prison, according to the report. 

Providing people with post-secondary education opportunities in prisons also means people are more likely to find jobs upon re-entry and earn better wages.

“The simple fact is education is transformative. We know that,” Rizer said.