From The Education Trust:
When we think about collateral consequences of mass incarceration, what are your immediate thoughts? Imagine being incarcerated for 26 years and learning to navigate through having computer literacy, finding mentors, and connecting to people in educational and work systems who have empathy for what you have been through, all while reacclimating to life outside of a Georgia prison. That was my experience.
I found that due to limited access to technology, there was no way for me to prepare for modern usage of computers and the internet. After 26 years, technology had evolved and I needed to catch up to be equipped with the hard skills necessary for any job, and moreover, my career. Even though I completed all the requisite coursework and earned certifications, there was little consideration for applying my knowledge to real world.
For example, I was unaware of how to apply for college admissions and student financial assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) upon release. Ultimately. I was awarded a full scholarship through the Chillon Project. My tuition and education associated costs were covered. FAFSA created a pathway to student work study access, which provided financial stability. While the studentaid.gov website promotes the FAFSA form as a free and straightforward process, the reality involves navigating multiple passwords, understanding household income details, and accessing tax history, leads to mounting frustrations for first-generation students, Black and Latino students, and even people who haven’t been incarcerated. The difficulty for people like me is even more heightened, and with few options for assistance in filling out the forms it can seem hopeless. Continue reading >>>
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