Debate over prison-based education continues to divide scholars. Central to this debate are two contradictory perspectives on prison education. These perspectives are (a) an idealistic/optimistic view regarding prison education and (b) a pessimistic reaction to prison education. We located the debate on the contemporary political context (prison-based education Pell Grants). Until its elimination in 1993/1994 with the passage of the Crime Bill, Pell Grants were the primary sources of funding for postsecondary, correctional-education programming in America. This recent, external, environmental change on our penal systems has profound political, economic, and social implications that might be too important and too costly to ignore.
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