Americans’ support for college financial aid for prisoners depends on how the benefits are described

Allowing prisoners to access college-level education reduces the risk of reoffending and can save state governments money because of the reduction in future crime. But Americans, by contrast, often oppose providing prisoners such benefits. With the recent overturning of the ban on prisoners’ receiving Pell Grants, Travis M. Johnston and Kevin H. Wozniak look at how the public reacts to prison education reform, depending on how its benefits are described. They find that when the benefits to the incarcerated and to society are noted, Americans were more likely to support providing college aid to prisoners.