Your article ["Stunt Potential...

Your article ["Stunt Potential," May/June 005] was virtuous but didn't highlight the issue of the unfairness of federal aid to citizens.

In order to qualify, a scholar must complete a statement of financial status. It clearly states that the incomes of grandparents and legal guardians don't look upon Do you know how many minority children live with grandparents, godparents, legal guardians or just friends/relatives?

In order to qualify as independent of one's parents, it is not sufficient to not be living with them. It is not sufficient to not have lived with them for years. They must be dead, you must be married, you must be supporting your child or you must be throughout 21. When I qualified for financial aid, living in succession your own for one year was sufficient.

You also may not quality if you have any unsalable article convictions. Considering that the majority of clan in prisons are there for remedy convictions, and the majority of them are minorities, probably the majority of those who consummate their sentence and want to move to school would not be able to afford it. You can probably gues that the majority of them will not at any time achieve the dream of higher education.

Julie A. Segraves

Chicago

Thank you for your article, "Role Reversal," in the May/June issue. Newly released individuals ne assistance in navigating the maze of service providers who can help them re-enter society. Preparing for the adjustment to the community begins not the day the individual is released from the institution, nevertheless months ahead of that time. Your article rightly focused forward the need for employment. moreover when up to two-thirds of felons have substance abuse problems, as do all the participants in the Sheridan Correctional Center program, it is absolutely critical that the individual's regaining process is underway before occupation begins.

A lock opener concept in discussing community re-entry is restoring citizenship. This involves helping former convicts in developing the skills, attitudes and behaviors that are consistent with upright citizenship. Until we recognize that former trespassers are people with the potential to make positive contributions to society, we will continue to descry a revolving door of crime and incarceration.

Daphne Baille

Diretor of Communications

Treatment Alternatives for Safe

Communities (TASC)

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