Bill would prevent free college courses for inmates

Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) introduced legislation on Wednesday that would prevent federal funds from being used to pay for inmates to take college courses.

The Kids Before Cons Act was introduced in response to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to provide free college courses to inmates. Cuomo said the program would reduce the recidivism rate and save money because housing an inmate costs $60,000 and providing an education costs $5,000.

Reed and other New York legislators said the proposal isn’t fair.

“It is simply not fair to ask hardworking taxpayers to pay for college for convicted criminals when they struggle to put their own children through college,” Reed said. “College students in New York leave school with an average of nearly $26,000 in student loans, a huge undertaking for any family. New Yorkers are faced with enough taxes and mandates – they do not need to worry about funding college for convicted criminals when they are trying to care for their own families.”

The measure would prevent the Department of Education and the Department of Justice from using funds to pay for inmates to take college courses. It would not prohibit states from using federal dollars to support general education diploma and work training programs.

“We’ve heard an outpouring of concern from constituents on the governor’s proposal, and rightly so,” Reed said. “It’s an insult to hardworking taxpayers who follow the law that they should be expected to provide free college degrees for convicted criminals. We’re proud to stand up to protect families from an unfair use of tax dollars. Our children should be placed above convicted criminals.”