The Goucher Prison Education Partnership (GPEP) served as the backdrop for the Department of Education’s introduction of the Second Chance Pell pilot program, which will allow incarcerated Americans to receive Pell Grants and pursue post-secondary education.
Through this pilot program, incarcerated individuals who otherwise meet eligibility requirements and are authorized for release—particularly within the next five years—could access Pell Grants to pursue postsecondary education and training. The goal is to increase access to high-quality educational opportunities and help incarcerated men and women like those enrolled through GPEP to transition successfully out of prison and back into the classroom or the workforce.
Congress banned Pell grants for prisoners in 1994 after a debate in which lawmakers said it was unfair for those who are incarcerated to claim a share of the limited federal financial aid funds. This program will test whether the 20-year ban on financing college for prisoners should be lifted.
The announcement underscores the Obama Administration’s commitment to create a fairer, more effective criminal justice system, reduce recidivism, and combat the impact of mass incarceration on communities. High-quality correctional education—including postsecondary education initiatives such as GPEP—has been shown to help formerly incarcerated men and women live socially, professionally and politically engaged lives. Other potential outcomes include reduced recidivism and improved lives for the 2.7 million children of incarcerated parents.
“America is a nation of second chances. Giving people who have made mistakes in their lives a chance to get back on track and become contributing members of society is fundamental to who we are,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who attended the announcement, along with U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, a number of congressmen, and other representatives from the departments of Education and Justice.
Formally founded in 2012, the Goucher Prison Education Partnership (GPEP), a division of Goucher College, gives men and women incarcerated in Maryland the opportunity to pursue an excellent college education. The initiative builds on Goucher’s longtime tradition as a leader in liberal arts education and in advocacy for access and equity in education.
Through the partnership, Goucher College offers courses to more than 70 students at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women (MCIW) and the Maryland Correctional Institution – Jessup (MCIJ). GPEP also provides college preparatory courses for prospective Goucher students at the prisons needing additional support to be ready for college coursework.
In courses at the two prisons, students are held to the rigorous academic standards for which Goucher is known. Courses are taught on site by Goucher College faculty as well as by outstanding professors from nearby colleges and universities.
The entire Goucher academic community is enhanced and strengthened by the inclusion of these talented, dedicated students at the two prisons. This work together stimulates awareness and meaningful dialogue in and beyond the Goucher community about justice, incarceration, and educational access.