TUITION AID FOR EX-CONS

To the Editor:

H. Carl McCall, the state comptroller, deserves praise for suggesting that
ex-offenders be granted tuition assistance for college (news article, June 20).

Numerous studies show that ex-cons with college degrees are far less likely
to return to a life of crime. Unfortunately, a 1999 revision to the Higher
Education Act makes it impossible for even nonviolent drug offenders to
receive financial aid.

Every year, 30,000 inmates are released from one of New York's 70 state
prisons. Mr. McCall recognizes that there will be less crime and fewer
victims if more opportunities exist upon release for men and women who have
paid their debt to society.

JENNIFER R. WYNN, New York, June 20, 2002

The writer is director, Prison Visiting Project, Correctional Association
of New York.