Edwards Participates In Administration Event Announcing Pell Grants for Prisoners

Press Release

Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) joined Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch and Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan at Jessup Correctional Institution in Maryland to announce Second Chance Pell pilot program that will look at ways individuals incarcerated in Federal and State penal institutions can receive Pell Grants.

In May, Rep. Edwards introduced H.R. 2521, the Restoring Education And Learning (REAL) Act, which would fully restore the opportunity for prisoners to receive Pell Grants. Rep. Edwards visited both the Jessup Correctional Institution and the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in May prior to introducing the REAL Act, to tour the Goucher Prison Education Partnership and meet with students and instructors.

"The REAL Act is about restoring educational opportunities for our nation's prisoners so they will have the opportunity to reintegrate as productive members of the community post-incarceration," Edwards said. "This effort is significant because we know that incarceration alone is not a solution. Education is always the bridge to a better future and that is true of people who are incarcerated and it is true for all our young people no matter their zip code.

"This is a way to turn the corner on mass incarceration by providing educational opportunities so that when people are released and return to our communities they do not reoffend. I am grateful that the Administration, Attorney General, and Secretary of Education are prepared to provide the first step forward. I thank my colleagues for supporting the REAL Act, and I look forward to continue working with all stakeholders to pass this legislation and get it signed by the President so that by law we no longer prohibit the use of Pell Grants for incarcerated persons."

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