In recent weeks, the Administration has focused extensively on increasing the opportunities for education and training of justice-involved individuals in an effort to reduce recidivism. First, 67 colleges and universities were selected to participate in the Department of Education’s Second Chance Pell Pilot Program. The experimental program, originally announced last summer, will allow the selected postsecondary institutions to partner with federal or state penal institutions to offer education programs, and allow incarcerated individuals who qualify and expect to be released within five years to receive federal Pell grants to cover the costs.
"The evidence is clear. Promoting the education and job training for incarcerated individuals makes communities safer by reducing recidivism and saves taxpayer dollars by lowering the direct and collateral costs of incarceration," said U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. as he announced the institutions selected to participate. A number of community and technical colleges are among those institutions, and many plan to offer programs utilizing online education or a hybrid of online and classroom education. There are also requirements for additional wrap-around services.
The Department of Labor has also been active on this issue, awarding $64.5 million in grants under four different programs that focus on better preparing those involved with the criminal justice system to gain employment post-release. The grants focus on providing in-demand skills, access to good jobs, and a stronger foundation of community support upon re-entry.
The programs include Reentry Demonstration Projects for Young Adults, Training to Work, Pathways to Justice Careers and Linking to Employment Activities Pre-Release. While most of the recipients are community-based organizations or municipalities, we encourage CTE providers to reach out to determine the appropriate role for education and training providers.
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