- Social:
Cato Institute
Vice president for legal affairs at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think-tank; senior staffer in the Reagan Administration, dealing with human rights and political asylum issues
PROFILE
Roger Pilon
Guest
FROM Roger Pilon
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. Then this year, 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. We bring you that debate.
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. 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.
Recommended
To the Point
Trump Sees ‘Bipartisanship’ on Criminal Justice Reform After decades, America’s draconian crackdown on crime isn’t working. Even most conservatives agree with liberals that it’s worse than a waste of money. President Trump has used a rare word when it comes to proposed reform: “bipartisanship.” It could happen before the new Congress takes office--but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell might be applying the brakes.
Red State, Blue State
The Drug Wave Crests 72,000 Americans died from drug overdoses last year. A lot of that was due to opiates. And it started a small.
KCRW Features
One Year Later: City of Ventura Faced the Thomas Fire When the Thomas Fire hit the city limits, residents fled for their lives. They recall midnight evacuations and near misses.
The Mixer
Repainting the Sheriff's department, tan and green Barring any unforeseen changes, there will be a new L.A. County Sheriff at the start of next week. Alex Villanueva defeated sitting Sheriff, Jim McDonnell, in this month’s midterms after running a partisan campaign that lead to the first ouster of a sitting Sheriff in more than a century. Villanueva told KCRW this week that his goal is to rid the department of officials that, he said, contributed to a corrupt culture under previous leadership. But there is a lot of concern about what that will look like and if recent reforms could be rolled back.