Individual Reentry Plans.
The Department of Corrections (DOC) is required to develop individual reentry plans for each incarcerated person under its jurisdiction except for those persons sentenced to life without the possibility of release, sentenced to death, and those subject to deportation. Individual reentry plans include: plans to maintain contact with family; a portfolio of the person's educational achievements, previous employment and work experience, and any training received; and a plan to facilitate reentry into the community that addresses education, employment, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, family reunification, and other needs.
The Department of Corrections' Educational Goals for Incarcerated Persons.
The DOC is required to offer certain education and work programs to persons incarcerated at a state correctional institution based on available funding and with the following goals, prioritized in the order listed:
If programming is provided for goals 1, 2, or 3, the DOC is responsible for the cost, including books, materials, and supplies. If programming is provided for goal 4, the incarcerated person is required to pay all or a portion of the cost, including books, fees, and tuition based on a DOC formula that correlates to the incarcerated person's average monthly income, available savings, and a prorated percent of the per-credit fee. A third party may pay the DOC directly for all or a portion of the programming costs aligned with the fourth goal.
Associate Workforce Degree Programs at State Correctional Institutions.
In 2017 the DOC was authorized to implement associate workforce degree programs at state correctional institutions without specific funds being appropriated for that purpose. The associate workforce degree programs must be offered by an accredited community or technical college, college, or university designed to prepare incarcerated persons to enter the workforce. The DOC may select an incarcerated person to participate in a state-funded associate degree program based on priority criteria, including consideration of the following:
Incarcerated persons who wish to participate in a state-funded associate degree program, but do not meet the priority criteria, must pay for the program themselves. Incarcerated persons sentenced to life without the possibility of release, sentenced to death, or subject to deportation under federal law are not allowed to participate in a state-funded associate degree program.
County of Origin Discharge Considerations.
The DOC must determine which county is the appropriate residence for a person released to community custody. The DOC is prohibited from approving a residence that is not in the person's county of origin unless the DOC determines that returning to the county of origin would be inappropriate due to: any court-ordered condition of the person's sentence; victim safety concerns; negative influences on the person from within the community; or the location of family, other sponsoring persons, or organizations supporting the person.
The Department of Corrections' Educational Goals for Incarcerated Persons.
The DOC's educational goals for incarcerated persons are modified as follows:
The DOC must establish a process for identifying and assessing incarcerated persons with learning disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and other cognitive impairments to determine whether they require accommodations in order to effectively participate in educational programming, including General Educational Development (GED) tests and postsecondary education. The DOC must establish a process to provide accommodations to these persons.
Postsecondary Education Programs at State Correctional Institutions.
The DOC's authority to implement associate workforce degree programs at state correctional institutions is expanded to postsecondary education certificate or degree programs, but is limited to no more than a bachelor's degree. In addition, priority consideration may be given to incarcerated persons within 10 years or less of release. Incarcerated persons sentenced to life without the possibility of release, sentenced to death, or subject to deportation may participate in a postsecondary education degree program if it is paid for by a third party. The DOC must assist incarcerated persons participating in state-funded postsecondary education with filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).
The DOC is required to provide incarcerated individuals who participated in postsecondary education programs with a copy of their unofficial transcript any time the person completes a postsecondary education program, is transferred to a different facility, or is released. This copy must be provided at no cost to the individual.
Tuition Fees.
Standard tuition fees charged at public institutions of higher education do not apply to persons incarcerated under the DOC who participate in credit-eligible postsecondary education if the expenses are funded by non-tuition resources, such as grants, contracts, and donations.
County of Origin Discharge Considerations.
Upon release, the DOC must consider an incarcerated person's return to their county of origin to be inappropriate if the person is enrolled in an educational program that cannot be completed in their county of origin, unless there are victim safety concerns.
Transfers of Persons Incarcerated at Correctional Facilities.
When determining whether to transfer an incarcerated person to a different in-state facility, the DOC is required to consider whether the person is enrolled in a vocational or educational program, including programs operated by approved outside providers, which cannot be continued at the receiving facility.
Washington State Institute for Public Policy Study.
The Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) must study recidivism, enrollment, and completion rates of incarcerated persons in the postsecondary education system post-release. The DOC, the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), the Education Research and Data Center, and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) must provide the data necessary to complete the study. The study's findings are to be published in two reports, a preliminary report due October 1, 2024, and a final report due October 1, 2027. The WSIPP study must include:
State Agency Report on Postsecondary Education Programs and Incarcerated Persons.
The DOC, SBCTC, WSAC, and Washington Statewide Reentry Council, in collaboration with an organization representing the presidents of the public four-year institutions of higher education, must report to the committees of the Legislature with oversight over higher education and correctional matters, by December 1, 2021, and annually thereafter. The report must strive to include the voices of current or formerly incarcerated individuals, and must include the following:
The substitute bill made five changes. First, references to "offender," "inmate," and "prisoner" were all changed to "incarcerated individual." Second, the WSIPP study's intent and scope was modified. One modification limits the post-release data analysis to the community and technical college system. Additionally, the WSIPP study must be divided into a preliminary and final report. Third, the DOC is required, rather than permitted, to assist incarcerated individuals participating in postsecondary education with the filing of a FAFSA or WASFA. Fourth, the DOC lead state agency report must strive to include the voices of current or formerly incarcerated individuals. Lastly, Washington state-approved pre-apprenticeship programs are included as eligible postsecondary education programs.
(In support) Education is one of the most effective tools to create a transformative impact on a person's life, on prison culture, and on recidivism. Incarcerated individuals who participate in postsecondary education have greater rates of employment and reduced recidivism rates. Robust re-entry programs are essential for safety. These programs help save tax dollars and increase public safety. For every dollar spent by the state, there are $20 in savings. Education increases the chance that these individuals become taxpayers who can support their families. A lack of education has an impact on society. An individual who enters a low-wage job is likely to stay low-income. Children who see their family members take education seriously also take education seriously. Postsecondary education can break generational poverty, and a successful transition into the community is something everyone can support.
This expansion recognizes the importance of academic degrees and that every student should have a choice. Students would not be limited by the five associate workforce degrees that are currently offered. This especially impacts women. Some individuals currently pay tuition for an out-of-state correspondence course because there are no in-state options available. Educational choice is important because you never know the path someone will take in the future. It can take 10 years to get a four-year degree while incarcerated so the expansion to allow those within 10 years of release to participate in postsecondary education is appreciated. There's a difference between legislating outcomes versus opportunities. There are a number of folks who go into the correctional system wanting change. It is inhumane to further punish people who have served their time by limiting their opportunities.
There is research about some interventions, but not a lot on educational interventions. The WSIPP study must examine these effects and is complimentary to a study at the University of Washington. Programs with small effects can still pass the cost-benefit analysis test and pay for themselves. Section 8 of the bill directs several state agencies to review vital information for policy makers to leverage resources and achieve shared goals.
Incarcerated individuals deserve better assessments and tools to determine what special accommodations they need. There are many who struggle with learning disabilities. Incarcerated students need wrap-around supports. Many of the obstacles to reach graduation are removed with this bill, but there are still many obstacles for individuals with disabilities.
While supportive of education services, the DOC needs additional funding to expand education. There are also concerns about incarcerated students using all of their Federal Pell or Washington College Grants while incarcerated and exhausting their financial aid for future education.
(Opposed) None.