substitute for

 house Resolution No. 234

A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to repeal the federal ban on Pell grants for prison-based education.

Whereas, The federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain postbaccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary education.  Pell grants have been helping millions of low-income students across the country access postsecondary education for 45 years; and

Whereas, The federal Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act denied all incarcerated individuals’ eligibility for federal financial aid in 1994, making prisoners ineligible to receive Pell grants and therefore less likely to obtain a postsecondary degree while incarcerated. Until 1992, Pell grants were available to incarcerated individuals.  As a result, education programs expanded throughout the prison system, and by 1990, there were 772 prison college programs in more than 1,000 correctional facilities; and

Whereas, Postsecondary courses and training for incarcerated people will make them more likely to secure jobs and succeed economically upon release.  While currently only 24 percent of people in federal prison have had access to some postsecondary education, 65 percent of all new jobs nationwide now require a postsecondary degree; and

Whereas, Postsecondary education and training programs lead to lower recidivism rates, less crime, and improved public safety.  Incarcerated people who participate in postsecondary education and training programs are 43 percent less likely to recidivate than those who do not participate; and

Whereas, Prison education reduces violence within the prison system.  Prisons with college programs have fewer violent incidents, which allows corrections officials to do their jobs in a safer environment; and

Whereas, Prison-based education is cost-effective.  Every dollar invested in prison-based education yields $4.00 to $5.00 in taxpayer savings in reduced long-term incarceration costs; and

Whereas, Removing the federal ban on Pell grants for prison education would expand access to postsecondary education for people in Michigan’s prisons; and

Whereas, Should the surplus for the Pell grant program run low and there is a need to prioritize the awarding of Pell grants, non-prisoner applicants should have priority over prisoner applicants; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to repeal the federal ban on Pell grants for prison-based education; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.