Federal financial aid to people in prison was quietly restored as part of a COVID-19 stimulus bill passed by Congress last month. The reversal of the 1994 Pell Grant ban represents a watershed moment for criminal justice advocates, who say prison education programs reduce recidivism and advance racial equity. 

In this interview, Margaret diZerega of the Center on Sentencing and Corrections at the Vera Institute of Justice talks about the change in federal financial aid policy and how it might affect availability and access to higher education in Illinois prisons.

As college campuses begin their spring semester, COVID-19 remains a major concern. Just like in the fall, some schools are doing as much in-person teaching as possible, with safety interventions like plexiglass barriers in front of podiums. Others are staying fully online.

One big difference? College leaders now have some experience under their belt with the compromises of balancing learning and staying healthy. Students and professors—some from campuses that went fully online and others keen on staying in person—share their lessons learned.