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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl