Trone Visits University of Baltimore Second Chance Pell Grant Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2023
Contact: Sloane Gallagher, Sloane.Gallagher@mail.house.gov
Trone Visits University of Baltimore Second Chance Pell Grant Program
Rep. Trone meets formerly incarcerated students participating in the Second Chance Pell Grant Experimental Sites Initiative
BALTIMORE, MD — Today, Congressman David Trone (D-MD) visited the University of Baltimore to speak with students participating in the U.S. Department of Education’s Second Chance Pell Grant Experimental Sites Initiative. In 2016, the University of Baltimore became one of 67 higher-learning institutions selected to host this correctional education pilot program. Since the program was launched, 118 students have participated at the Jessup Correctional Institution, a maximum-security prison for men.
In 2019, Trone led the Expanding Educational Opportunities for Justice-Impacted Communities Act, which repealed the Pell Grants ban for incarcerated students and the loss of federal financial aid eligibility for those convicted of drug offenses. The legislation was passed into law in 2020.
During his visit, Trone met with students and staff members to learn about their experiences in the program and discuss his criminal justice reform efforts in Congress. He spoke about the launch of his new Bipartisan Second Chance Task Force and his work to expand educational and workforce opportunities to those currently incarcerated and those recently released.
“We need to build a criminal justice system that centers around rehabilitation to lower our country’s recidivism rate, and that starts with education and jobs. We can’t release folks from prison and expect them to successfully rebuild their lives without giving them the tools to do so,” said Congressman David Trone. “The University of Baltimore’s correctional education program is giving folks a better opportunity to find good-paying, stable jobs after release. This is exactly why I fought hard to eliminate the Pell Grant ban for justice-impacted individuals – we must do everything we can to help folks build brighter futures for themselves and their families.”
“By establishing a Second Chance Caucus in Congress, Representative Trone has demonstrated the importance of this issue and his commitment to it,” said University of Baltimore President Kurt L. Schmoke.
Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Budget, and Joint Economic Committees in the 118th Congress. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the mental health and addiction crises, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.
Follow Congressman Trone at @RepDavidTrone for updates on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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