Prisoners do pay

I just wanted to comment on the editorial “State money for prisoner education?” (March 28) in the IDS about IU’s Distance Learning Program, as it pertains to prisoner education. These programs are in fact not free for people incarcerated in the prison system. They go through the same process as other students when applying for the program, which includes applying for financial aid. The prisoners and their loved ones are responsible for paying the full costs of their courses through continuing studies. While there are “free” educational programs in Indiana state prisons, prisoners are responsible for repaying these and any other fees associated with their incarceration upon their release. I just wanted to clarify this, as I felt the authors of the editorial were misinformed and also misleading.