RCC selected for Second Chance Pell Experiment

Robeson Community College made a major announcement today during a press conference held at the Lumberton Correctional Institute. 

“We are most pleased to share with you this morning that the Department of Education has invited Robeson Community College to participate in the Second Chance Pell Experiment,” stated Dr. Patrena Benton Elliott, Vice President of Instruction and Student Support Services. “The list of selected US colleges and universities were released and only three North Carolina institutions were listed, two private universities, and one community college and we are so very proud to be that one.”

“I knew that the process was very competitive and although our proposal advanced to the second-round months ago, I couldn’t be certain of the outcome. It is truly an honor that we were chosen and we are excited to see the initiative’s future impact and outcomes. Education is often the second chance that provides a gateway to social and economic mobility for justice impacted individuals, giving them the skills and training they need to re-enter society as a productive citizen,” said Dr. Elliott.

The announcement of the expansion of 73 sites means that Robeson Community College will be one of 200 colleges and universities nationwide selected to participate in the program. 

“This program is amazing and we are eager to build upon our relationship with the North Carolina Department of Corrections and the Department of Education,” said RCC President Melissa Singler. “We are so excited to participate in this program, as this initiative will be a game changer for many incarcerated individuals and their families.” 

The Second Chance Pell Experiment was first established in 2015 by the Obama-Biden Administration to provide Pell Grants to incarcerated individuals, which allows them to participate in postsecondary education programs. The program has since been expanded under the Biden-Harris administration. To date, students have earned over 7,000 credentials through the initiative, building new skills and improving their odds of success.

“The NC Department of Public Safety is excited to learn that Robeson Community College has been chosen to participate in this Second Chance Pell Grant Experiment with the US Department of Education,” said DPS Secretary Eddie M. Buffaloe Jr. “Education leads to better job prospects, and when incarcerated individuals are given hope for a better life outside the prison system, study after study has shown it can break the cycle of criminal behavior, resulting in less repeat offenders and a safer community to live in that we can all enjoy.”

Robeson Community College currently partners with Lumberton Correctional Institute (LCI) to provide adult basic education and continuing education offerings. 

“Access to high-quality postsecondary education is essential to incarcerated individuals, but for far too long, people in prison were left out,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The expansion of Second Chance Pell and these new pathways out of default are critical steps for incarcerated individuals to be able to access educational opportunities that will provide second chances to build a future.”

Providing education in prison is proven to reduce recidivism rates and is associated with higher employment rates. A recent study from the RAND Corporation, funded by the Department of Justice, found that incarcerated individuals who participated in correctional education were 48% less likely to return to prison within three years than incarcerated individuals who did not participate in any correctional education programs. RAND also estimated that for every dollar invested in correctional education programs, four to five dollars are saved on three-year re-incarceration costs.

“Usually when you have the Warden of a Prison, the District Attorney and the Sheriff standing in front of you at a podium in front of the prison, it usually not a good thing, I’m just grateful that it’s a great thing to stand here before you today,” said Matt Scott, Robeson County District Attorney. “Part of making this community safer is the individuals that you see that are housed in the facilities behind me, the overwhelming majority of them will be out one day. If we can get them educated, if we can get them job training and skills so that when they come out, and partner with Robeson Community College and others to get a jobs, and get them working, paying taxes, giving back to the community, that is how you make a community like Robeson County safer. 

“When you look at what my job is as the District Attorney and what the Sheriffs job is, our job is to make this community safe, that’s priority number one. Too many times we have worked in silos and not worked with partners… that day I am glad to say is over.  Over the last few years we have broken down those silos to work with partners to create programs to make our community a lot safer and part of that is what you see here today. I am thankful for Robeson Community College for their great job, outstanding job in partnering with us in helping those incarcerated to become an integral part of society.”

“Robeson Community College prides itself in serving first-generation college students, including those from diverse, underrepresented and disenfranchised groups, as well as those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds,” stated Singler. “We look forward to what the future holds as we strive to make a difference in our community in helping our Second Chance Pell students gain valuable skills, earn credentials, and build a portfolio of knowledge to aid them with their transition.”

Why are second chances important? 

According to the Charles Koch Institute, our criminal justice system should provide both accountability and redemption, which necessitates second chances for individuals with criminal records. It provides people with dignity and allows them to achieve their potential as contributing members of our community. Second chances can help an individual achieve closure from the past and from time served, providing them with the ability and support necessary to avoid future criminal behavior. 

Warden Mary Locklear adds famous words from Nishan Panwar “Not everyone gets a second chance. If you do get one, take advantage of it because it’s a gift, and it may be something better than you had before.”

Second Chance Pell Grant Press Kit