HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

HB 2546

Title:An act relating to rehabilitating juvenile offenders through art education.

Brief Description:Reducing juvenile crime through art education.

Sponsors:Representatives Radcliff, Ballasiotes, Dickerson, Costa, and O'Brien.

House committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections

Hearing Date:January 30, 1998. 

Prepared By:Yvonne Walker, Research Analyst (786‑7841). 

Background:The Experimental Gallery was founded in 1992 at the State Capital Museum to provide experimental learning opportunities to youth who are experiencing problems in their lives.  Since November 1992 the Experimental Gallery has worked in close partnership with Washington=s Department of Social and Health Services=  Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) and has organized into numerous projects that have connected over 1,000  disenfranchised, violent, and addictive youth with the community through arts.

The program is designed to alleviate recidivism by assisting institutional staff and schools to meet the special educational and social needs of juvenile offenders.  This is done by giving participating students opportunities to work with artists and writers and by introducing them to the value of education through culturally relevant, experimental activities (i.e. art and humanities projects).  This program is designed to assist youth with the acquisition of vocational skills, self-esteem and a sense of community identity by demonstrating success.

The Experimental Gallery matches professionals from the art world with youth throughout six of the state=s juvenile facilities as well as offers programs to at-risk youth in local communities.  All such programs are planned in partnership with appropriate community-based organizations such as Community Mental Health, Community Youth Services, and local YMCAs.

Artists that are selected have previous experience with youth at risk or incarcerated populations.  All artists and consultants receive mandatory juvenile rehabilitation training which includes risk assessment and security.

The program partially operates under contract with the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration and receives funding from the Governor=s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee (Department of Social and Health Services), as well as other numerous private sources.  Summary:The Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) must contract with the Children's Museum for the expansion of the Experimental Gallery Program.  An appropriation of one hundred fifty thousand dollars is appropriated from the general fund to the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999 for the sole purpose of this expansion.

Rules Authority:No. 

Fiscal Note:Requested.

Effective Date:Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.