BP BHEAD INT H

AN ACT Relating to literacy training for offenders; amending RCW 9.95.070 and 72.09.130; and adding new sections to chapter 72.09 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 72.09 RCW to read as follows:

The legislature finds that inadequate learning skills and illiteracy among correctional institution inmates not only impairs their ability to reenter society and limits severely the benefits of inmate work programs, but creates a tragic and socially costly pattern of recidivism. Nation-wide studies have shown that a significant number of prisoners are high school dropouts and most inmates perform several grade levels below the last grade they completed in school. Prison literacy programs are effective deterrents to recidivism and therefore are an effective and efficient cost-cutting tool. The fact that the inmate who reenters society able to read and write is less likely to return to prison translates to direct savings to our state. Moreover, the savings realized by all of our citizens from an individual becoming a productive member of society rather than a costly threat, potentially adding to the work load of the already overloaded criminal justice system, is harder to quantify but is of unquestionably greater value.

The legislature further finds that prison literacy programs need to include a focus on self-image, decision making, and other social skills. We must strive not only to ensure that inmates can read and write, but that they appreciate the importance and usefulness of these abilities. Combined with inmate work programs and training, literacy training will serve to greatly increase the odds that once an inmate leaves prison, they are not going to return.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 72.09 RCW to read as follows:

The department shall develop and implement a literacy testing and training program. This program must require the testing of every person sentenced to a correctional institution under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections to determine that person's written and oral communication skills level. Those persons testing below an eighth grade level must be provided the opportunity to receive training as necessary to reach that level. The department shall determine the structure, scheduling, and method for literacy training. The department is encouraged to consider computer-assisted training, inmate tutors, and volunteer programs as appropriate. Offenders identified by the department to be incapable of participation in literacy training are not required to participate in the program.

Sec. 3. RCW 9.95.070 and 1955 c 133 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

Every prisoner who has a favorable record of conduct at the penitentiary or the reformatory, and who performs in a faithful, diligent, industrious, orderly and peaceable manner the literacy training, work, duties, and tasks assigned to him or her to the satisfaction of the superintendent of the penitentiary or reformatory, and in whose behalf the superintendent of the penitentiary or reformatory files a report certifying that his or her conduct and work have been meritorious and recommending allowance of time credits to him or her, shall upon, but not until, the adoption of such recommendation by the indeterminate sentence review board ((~~of prison terms and paroles~~)), be allowed time credit reductions from the term of imprisonment fixed by the indeterminate sentence review board ((~~of prison terms and paroles~~)).

Sec. 4. RCW 72.09.130 and 1981 c 136 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:

The department shall adopt a system providing incentives for good conduct and disincentives for poor conduct. The system may include increases or decreases in the degree of liberty granted the inmate within the programs operated by the department and recommended increases or decreases in the number of earned early release days that an inmate can earn for good conduct and good performance. Earned early release days shall be recommended by the department as a form of tangible reward for accomplishment. The system shall be fair, measurable, and understandable to offenders, staff, and the public. At least once in each twelve-month period, the department shall inform the offender in writing as to his or her conduct and performance. This written evaluation shall include reasons for awarding or not awarding recommended earned early release days for good conduct and good performance. The term "good performance" as used in this section means successfully performing a work, work training, literacy training, or educational task to levels of expectation as specified in writing by the department. The term "good conduct" as used in this section refers to compliance with department rules.

Within one year after July 1, 1981, the department shall adopt, and provide a written description of, the system. The department shall provide a copy of this description to each offender in its custody.