Contact:
Rabiah Burks, 202-822-6700
rburks@famm.org

FAMM APPLAUDS BIPARTISAN INTRODUCTION OF REAL ACT

The bill would restore Pell Grant eligibility to students in state and federal prisons.

WASHINGTON – FAMM President Kevin Ring released the following statement in response to today’s introduction of the REAL Act, a federal bill that would restore Pell Grant eligibility to students in state and federal prisons. The bill was introduced by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL), Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), and French Hill (R-AR):

It’s critically important that people in prison have access to educational opportunities considering that 94 percent will come home someday. Reinstating Pell Grants is a great next step in the federal push for criminal justice reform. The First Step Act was designed to incentivize evidence-based recidivism reduction programming and there are few programs more effective than education. FAMM thanks the bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators who introduced this bill and urges Congress to support the full restoration of Pell Grants to those in state and federal prisons.

For nearly three decades, FAMM has united the voices of affected families, the formerly incarcerated, and a range of stakeholders and advocates to fight for a more fair and effective justice system. FAMM’s focus on ending a one-size-fits-all punishment structure has led to reforms to sentencing and prison policies in 6 states and is paving the way to programs that support rehabilitation for the 94% of all prisoners who will return to our neighborhoods one day.

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FAMM is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization that promotes fair and effective criminal justice policies that safeguard taxpayer dollars and keep our communities safe. Founded in 1991, FAMM is helping transform America’s criminal justice system by uniting the voices of impacted families and individuals and elevating the issues all across the country.

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