In late August of 2023, WashU PEP Director Kevin Windhauser presented on navigating the restoration of Pell Grants for incarcerated students at the Correctional Education Association‘s annual conference and training event alongside representatives from the Vera Institute of Justice, Georgia Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (GCHEP), and Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Since the 1994 Crime Bill revoked Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated people, federal and state funds could not be used to support postsecondary education programs in prisons, resulting in the loss of many of these programs across the country. The July 2023 restoration of Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated students will expand the accessibility of education for incarcerated individuals and allow new prison education programs to open their doors with the support of federal funding. This policy shift requires extensive collaboration between PEPs and state agencies, particularly as they navigate new evaluation processes for new and existing programs.
Alongside Vera Program Associate Maurice Smith, GCHEP Director Christoper Gleason, and MSDOC Reentry Coordinator LaShetta Wilder, Windhauser presented on best practices for PEPs and state agencies as they navigate Pell applications and workshop the systems for evaluating program success.