To the Point
The Value of Giving Prisoners an Education
America's crackdown on crime is giving way to concern about the high-cost of mass incarceration. President Obama wants to give Pell Grants for college to inmates in prison — to find out if higher education makes them less likely to commit new crimes. Researchers say he already knows the answer.
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenAmerica's crackdown on crime is giving way to concern about the high-cost of mass incarceration. President Obama wants to give Pell Grants for college to inmates in prison — to find out if higher education makes them less likely to commit new crimes. Researchers say he already knows the answer.
Also, China devalues its currency. On today's Talking Point, the Watts riot 50 years later.
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In this episode
3 storiesChina Devalues Its Currency, Most in Two Decades
China announced today it is devaluing its currency -- "blockbuster news" for economists, according to Neil Irwin. He's senior economics correspondent for the New York Times , where he writes for "The Upshot," a site for analysis of politics, economics and more.
Read the story6 minPell 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.
Read the story34 minWhat Watts Means 50 Years Later
Fifty years ago today, police clashed with a black motorist in Los Angeles, beginning what came to be known as the Watts Riots or the "rebellion." The violence began after two policemen scuffled with a black motorist in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. Thirty-four people died and $40 million in property was destroyed.
Read the story9 min
