Increasing access to education and healthcare are crucial steps towards providing justice-impacted individuals with better economic opportunities. Recent federal policy changes, specifically the reinstatement of Pell Grants for incarcerated students and Medicaid expansion for incarcerated individuals, promise to significantly impact the justice-impacted workforce.
Reinstatement of Pell Grants for Incarcerated Students After a 26-year ban, Pell Grants were reinstated for incarcerated students on July 1, 2023, through the FAFSA Simplification Act. Following the Second Chance Pell Experiment that began in 2015, this federal grant is awarded to undergraduate students with financial need and does not require repayment.
Who is eligible:
All incarcerated individuals, regardless of sentence length or conviction type, are eligible. Approved Prison Education Programs (PEPs) must be reviewed and endorsed by corrections agencies, accrediting bodies, and the U.S. Department of Education. After two years, these programs undergo a best interest determination review to potentially become official PEPs. [Accessing Pell Grants for College Programs in Correctional Settings](https://www.vera.org/publications/accessing-pell-grants-for-college-programs-in-correctional-settings)
How community groups can get involved:
– Support the development of high-quality PEPs
– Improve support for incarcerated and reentering individuals
– Review PEPs for student interest
– Participate in feedback processes to determine PEP continuity
Medicaid Expansion for Incarcerated Individuals Medicaid 1115 Reentry Waivers allow states to expand Medicaid coverage to incarcerated individuals up to 90 days before their release. Over the next two years, new opportunities, including grants and policy changes, will enhance care transitions and system-building.
Who is eligible:
States must apply for these waivers, with approvals already granted to CA, WA, MT, and MA. Nineteen states have pending proposals, and more are expected.
How community groups can get involved:
– Play a larger role in pre-release service delivery
– Increase services through new and strengthened connections
Promoting Economic Advancement for Justice-Impacted Individuals In “Normalizing Opportunity,” JFF’s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement proposed a policy agenda to support the 70 million Americans with criminal records. [Normalizing Opportunity: A Policy Agenda to Promote Economic Advancement for People With Criminal Records](https://www.jff.org/idea/normalizing-opportunity-policy-framework/) Download the Framework
Key areas and policy recommendations include:
1. Education, Skills Training, and Career Navigation
2. Employment and Wealth-Building
3. Mobility Supports
4. Essential Infrastructure
These policy changes and recommendations aim to create a more equitable economic landscape for justice-impacted individuals, helping them build better futures through enhanced education and healthcare access.