Dateline Washington — In light of President Obama’s attempt to stem over-incarceration, U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-Culver City/Crenshaw District), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, has introduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate barriers to education for ex-offenders.

H.R. 4004, the “Stopping Unfair Collateral Consequences from Ending Student Success Act” or the Success Act, would repeal the law that makes it all but impossible for people with a drug conviction, no matter how petty, to apply for federal financial aid for education.

One section of the Higher Education Act suspends college aid for a person who is convicted of a drug offense. This law has denied thousands of people needing aid for college and has discouraged tens of thousands of others from even applying.

According to the Dept. of Education, during the 2009-2010 school year, nearly 3,300 people lost access to federal financial aid, including Pell Grants and students loans, because of a drug conviction while in college that year.

“Denying or creating barriers to financial resources is nothing short of a cruel trick,” said Ms. Bass. “Stopping the educational process is certainly not in line with rehabilitating members of our communities.”

The federal government did not always make it as difficult for people to access higher education.

Michael Santos was arrested for selling cocaine in 1987 when he was 20 years old. While incarcerated, he made a decision to work toward preparing for a law-abiding life. Pursuing a college degree was the core of his plan. While in prison, Mr. Santos was able to apply for and receive a Pell Grant. He received his undergraduate degree in 1992, his master’s in 1995.

Released from prison in 2013, because of the education he received, he successfully transitioned into society. Despite serving 26 years, he became an adjunct professor at San Francisco State University only three weeks after concluding his term as a federal prisoner.

“This grant money and the learning programs opened opportunities for me,” he said. “They were integral to guaranteeing that I was able to succeed when I finished serving my time.”
Mr. Santos has published 15 books. He works to help people behind bars succeed when they are ultimately released.

“Investing in a former prisoner’s education is perhaps the best investment we can make,” Ms. Bass said.

Reps. Danny Davis (D-IL), Bobby Scott (D-VA), and Don Young (R-AK) joined Ms. Bass as original cosponsors of the legislation.

H.R. 4004 is identical to H.R. 3641, introduced by Rep. Bass in the 113th Congress.