Nov 25, 2019

PBS documentary explores the power of education for prisoners

Axios

Photo courtesy Skiff Mountain Films

PBS' new documentary series "College Behind Bars" grants viewers an inside look at New York's Bard Prison Initiative, which allows select inmates to enroll in Bard College's curriculum, writes the Washington Post.

Why it matters: Recidivism among alumni from the program — which currently has 300 participants — is at 4%, compared to a 50% rate generally.

  • The four-parter, which airs Nov. 25 and 26, is executive-produced by Ken Burns and is the solo directorial debut of his longtime partner, Lynn Novick.
  • PBS is allowing the documentary to stream for free for 60 days.

Go deeper: Congress considers granting more access to education in prison

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Shane Savitsky

Mayor Pete's twist on college debt

Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Pete Buttigieg, who recently rocketed to the top of polls in Iowa, released a $500 billion college affordability plan today, which would make public college tuition free for households earning under $100,000 and inject $120 billion into federal Pell Grants.

The big picture: It contrasts with more expansive proposals from Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, who want to wipe out all college tuition and debt — though nearly every 2020 contender has their own ideas.

Go deeperArrowNov 18, 2019
Neal Rothschild

Bernie Sanders becomes top candidate for college students

Data: College Reaction; Note: *Kamala Harris dropped out Dec. 3, results have a ±3.1 margin of error; Chart: Axios Visuals

Over the last two months, Bernie Sanders has overtaken Elizabeth Warren as the top 2020 Democratic candidate among college students, according to a new College Reaction/Axios poll.

The big picture: Warren's recent decline among college students mirrors polling of the general population, but while Pete Buttigieg has been gaining among all voters during that time, Sanders is the one who's gained the most among students.

Go deeperArrowDec 5, 2019
Ursula Perano

Study shows dip in racial disparities in criminal justice system

A new report from the Council on Criminal Justice shows that racial disparities in the criminal justice system declined between 2000 and 2016, but there remains a gap in white, Hispanic and black populations in prison, parole and on probation.

The big picture: The study used data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics to compare the time white people spend in prison or under supervision to that of black or Hispanic people. The report found that disparities between racial and ethnic groups were at their lowest among probation populations, and their highest with individuals in prison or parole.

Go deeperArrowDec 4, 2019