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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Pell Grants for Prisoners?

Pell Grants are for students who can't afford college. In the 1990's, America cracked down on crime, and President Bill Clinton signed a ban on Pell Grants for inmates in federal and state prisons. Now President Obama plans to lift the ban — which he's allowed to do in the interests of gathering data. But the data is already in.

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By Warren Olney • Aug 11, 2015 • 34m Listen

Pell Grants are for students who can't afford college. In the 1990's, America cracked down on crime, and President Bill Clinton signed a ban on Pell Grants for inmates in federal and state prisons. Now President Obama plans to lift the ban — which he's allowed to do in the interests of gathering data. But the data is already in. With education, former prisoners do better on the outside; they're less likely to be imprisoned again, and that saves taxpayer money. Opponents say students who've never committed crimes are more deserving and they accused Obama of thumbing his nose at Congress.

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    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    Jenny Hamel

    KCRW

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    Charlotte Duren

    Producer, To the Point/Which Way LA?

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    Evan George

    Director of Content, News

  • KCRW placeholder

    Josh Mitchell

    Wall Street Journal

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    Vivian Nixon

    College and Community Fellowship

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    Roger Pilon

    Cato Institute

    NewsNationalPolitics
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