Pubdate: Tue, 25 Jun 2002
Source: New York Times (NY)
Section: Editorial/Op-Ed
Copyright: 2002 The New York Times Company
Contact:  http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: Jennifer R. Wynn
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act)

TUITION AID FOR EX-CONS

To the Editor:

H. Carl McCall, the state comptroller, deserves praise for suggesting that 
ex-offenders be granted tuition assistance for college (news article, June 20).

Numerous studies show that ex-cons with college degrees are far less likely 
to return to a life of crime. Unfortunately, a 1999 revision to the Higher 
Education Act makes it impossible for even nonviolent drug offenders to 
receive financial aid.

Every year, 30,000 inmates are released from one of New York's 70 state 
prisons. Mr. McCall recognizes that there will be less crime and fewer 
victims if more opportunities exist upon release for men and women who have 
paid their debt to society.

JENNIFER R. WYNN, New York, June 20, 2002

The writer is director, Prison Visiting Project, Correctional Association 
of New York.
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