User:WIKPIA-n23/Prison to college pipeline

= Prison to College Pipeline = Prison-to-college program, also known as prison education program, provides incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals access to various forms of postsecondary education to increase employment opportunities and reduce post-release recidivism rates. These programs have expanded in prisons, jails, and juvenile detention centers across the United States amid calls for criminal justice reform and improving outcomes for justice-involved individuals. However, there are ongoing debates about the effectiveness of these initiatives.

History
While prison education programs have existed in some capacity for decades, there has been a surge of interest and expansion of programs since 2014. This heightened attention corresponds with the declining prison population after hitting peak incarceration rates between 2006 and 2008, as well as growing bipartisan support for criminal justice reform. Providing access to education aligned with employers' needs has been viewed as one strategy for facilitating the rehabilitation and reentry of justice-involved individuals.

Several factors have contributed to the growth of prison-to-college pipelines. There has been increasing evidence that the denial of Pell grants for incarcerated students as part of the 1994 Crime Bill negatively impacted incarceration, recidivism, and employment trends. Coupled with research showing positive outcomes from correctional education programs, policymakers reconsidered restrictions on Pell grant access. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Education launched the Second Chance Pell pilot program, allowing certain colleges and universities to award Pell grants to qualified incarcerated students. This pilot program was made permanent in 2022 under the Consolidated Appropriations Act. Additionally, technological innovations have enabled greater access to distance learning courses for those behind bars. As of 2022, correctional postsecondary education has expanded to include college-in-prison, prison-to-college pipeline programs, and reentry services on college campuses for returning citizens.

Background
According to research, higher education can significantly contribute to successful reintegration and lower recidivism rates among this population. However, other obstacles make going to college challenging for people involved in the criminal system. Approximately 50% of those behind bars still need a GED or a high school diploma. While some prisoners obtain these qualifications while incarcerated, only some can enroll in college courses. Transitioning to college after release is a significant issue due to systemic impediments, including stigma, financial assistance constraints, and admissions restrictions. Several states, universities, and nonprofit organizations have created focused programs and projects to establish prison-to-college pipelines in recognition of these obstacles. These aim to give prisoners a way to start or finish their postsecondary education when released.