William Hughes: “I rise in opposition to this Gordon amendment and in support of the Wynn amendment. I understand the feelings generated…”

“I rise in opposition to this Gordon amendment and in support of the Wynn amendment. I understand the feelings generated by the idea that there is money available for inmates for education when there are law-abiding Americans who may be unable to obtain money for college. But there is more to this debate. I have heard argument after argument during consideration of this crime bill about doing something real to reduce crime. That something real is right in front of you. There is clear, uncontrovertible evidence that education reduces crime. Several studies, including one for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, indicate that the recidivism rate is about 10 percent lower for those inmates participating in educational programs. Pell grants are the most cost-effective and direct way to ensure that financially qualified inmates, who already have a high school degree or GED, can participate in college courses. The truth of the matter is that we in Congress have never appropriated money for Federal prisoner postsecondary educational programs and probably won't in the future. The debate should be about reducing crime.”