Expanding educational opportunities and prosperity with the REAL Act

Education empowers. 

It enables a good job and financial independence. More broadly, it empowers the nation through stability and economic growth. An education teaches critical thinking, problem solving and creativity. These attributes, in turn, drive progress and innovation.

But higher education is expensive, and not everyone can afford it. That's why the U.S. Department of Education offers Pell Grants, named after U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island. For over 40 years, the federal Pell Grant program has helped students from low and moderate-income families attend college and vocational schools. Pell Grants are awarded solely based on financial need, and students do not have to repay them. 

Pell Grants have made higher education attainable for millions of Americans. And they have helped our country develop a skilled workforce.  

In the past, Pell Grants were available to everyone who qualified for financial aid, including incarcerated people. But in 1994, Congress passed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, a provision of which eliminated Pell Grant funding for incarcerated people. The belief was that providing Pell Grants to prisoners would displace other more deserving students. But, in fact, in any given year, there are more than sufficient funds available for all eligible students, and between 1993 and 1994 less than 1 percent of Pell Grants went to prisoners. 

Senators Schatz, Lee and Durbin recently introduced a bill, The Restoring Education and Learning Act (The REAL Act), that would restore Pell Grant eligibility to prisoners. Both Republican and Democratic members of Congress support passage of The REAL Act as do a chorus of diverse stakeholders, from the ACLU to the Association of State Correctional Administrators. 

Verizon endorses passage of The REAL Act. We believe that incarcerated people should have access to higher education for a variety of compelling reasons:  

• Crime prevention. Studies show that recidivism rates drop significantly for people who earn a post-secondary degree. People who participate in higher education programs while in prison are 48 percent less likely to recidivate than those who don't. Prisons with college programs also have fewer violent incidents, helping corrections officers do their jobs safely.
• Cost savings. It's cheaper to educate people than to re-incarcerate them or provide support after prison. Sixty-five percent of all new jobs require some post-secondary education, but only 22 percent of people in state prison have that qualification. The vast majority of the over 2 million people incarcerated today will eventually be released. If they have a post-secondary degree or certificate, they will be more likely to find a job (resulting in lower prison costs from reduced recidivism), support themselves, and contribute to the tax base.
• Economic opportunity. We can't afford to lose talent. America cannot lead today without an educated and competitive workforce. Talent matters, and it will drive economic growth. 
• Commitment to education. Over the years, Verizon has made a significant commitment to improving education. We're on a mission to prepare students to succeed in today's digital world. We're investing in schools across the country to give students the tech education they need. And our commitment to close the digital divide extends to all students.

Education is more than a worthwhile investment. It’s vital to our country's continued growth and prosperity. We should cultivate our intellectual capital wherever we find it and pass The REAL Act.