School behind bars

Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch last month announced the start of an experimental program that will temporarily allow federal grants to be used to cover college costs for certain prisoners. Emphasis will be on prisoners eligible for release within the next five years.

Because Congress has banned Pell grants for prisoners, the administration is relying on a provision of the Higher Education Act that gives flexibility to test temporary changes in the distribution of federal student aid. Congressional Republicans argue the administration has exceeded its authority, but Sen. Lamar Alexander, R- Tenn., chairman of the Senate education committee, acknowledged such a program indeed “may be . . . worthwhile.” Studies, including a 2013 review by the RAND Corp., show that prisoner education is effective in reducing recidivism; people released from prison with knowledge and skills have a far better chance of becoming productive members of their communities than those without them.

Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act is on Congress’ fall agenda. In addition, there have been bipartisan expressions of interest in reforming overly punitive criminal- justice policies. Making higher education more accessible to those behind bars should be part of those discussions.