To all of you who pay an arm and a leg for college tuition....

[LPN-n-2005]

i am fuming after reading this article.

http://www.thecarolinachannel.com/education/2664927/detail.html

at the school where i go to right now, i have to pay a pretty penny for my tuition and books every semester. they are letting 100 ex-conmen go to college for free!!!! people who struggle like me are made to pay but people who commits crimes get an easier hand? that just shows how backwards people are!! oh my god!! what do ya'll think about this? it seems like the better of a person you are the worse upper hand you get but commit a crime and get everything for free!!! they mine as well put up a sign that reads, hey people!! right now we are offering free tuition to convicts. choose from your crime of any choice (molestation, embezzlement,murder, drugs,). act now spaces are limited!!! contact your local sheriff's department for further details.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I knew it. I should have went out, robbed a bank first, and THEN went for my education.

[SharonH, RN]

"The idea, according to Greenville Tech administrators, is to help the offenders make more money to pay restitution, making taxpayers out of tax burdens and giving old offenders a new option.

That's a sound policy IMO and it makes sense. Don't worry, having a criminal record is still an albatross and these guys won't have an easy time of it no matter what. I would much rather that someone get an education and start to earn a living, paying taxes and staying out of trouble instead of resorting to crime again with me as the possible victim because they cannot find a decent job or do not have an education or job skills. And besides, it's technical school not Harvard.

And by the way, I have to pay a pretty penny for my tuition and books also.

[kate930]

You know, you have a choice. When you're done with your arms and legs, you could still sell a kidney...

Oh wait, that would be illegal.

Which would cause you to wind up in jail.

Which would get your free tuition.

And free books.

So, in the end, you'd have money for that kidney AND free tuition and books!

I know how you feel! I feel your pain and think it's a bunch of crap too! Let's reward them, instead of making them pay.

Yeah... makes sense to me. Sends the right message.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

I hadn't see this in the news. Our governor(SC) is trying to CLOSE two University extension sites because the state has no money. G'Ville Tech is a state school. They have the money to do this? How? Sheesh!!

[vwgirl]

It won't make a difference how educated the former prisoners become. My husband has two bachelor's degrees, one from an Ivy League school. He also served four months in the county jail eleven years ago, and that is all any employer really cares about. They see the criminal record and don't look past it; the last eleven years might well have never happened. Society punishes everyone convicted of a crime long after they are done serving their punishment; I have nothing against offering free education to the parolees. It won't help them any, but it will probably be the last positive thing that happens to them in a long, long time. My husband was convicted of a crime that took place when he was at work. He loaned his car to someone who used it to commit a robbery. He was convicted of conspiracy. Not everyone who ends up in jail is a horrible evil person. Some are just plain stupid. (Not that this dims my love for the man.)