HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS
HB 1923
Title: An act relating to postsecondary courses for
inmates.
Brief Description: Establishing a postsecondary education program
for inmates.
Sponsors:
Representatives O'Brien, Koster, Anderson, Ogden, Lantz, Miloscia, Hankins and
Ballasiotes.
HOUSE
COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONS
Staff:
Yvonne Walker (786-7841).
Background:
In 1995, the Legislature adopted a law requiring
the Department of Corrections (DOC) to prioritize its available resources to
meet the following educational goals, specified in order of priority (HB 2010):
(1)Achievement of basic academic
skills through obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent, and achievement
of vocational skills necessary for purposes of work programs and for an inmate
to qualify for work upon release;
(2)Additional work and education
programs that are compatible with an offender's case management plan; and
(3)Other work and education programs
as appropriate.
The 1995 legislation required the DOC to develop a
formula by which inmates would contribute to the cost of certain educational
and vocational programs, based on their ability to pay. The formula requires
offenders to pay a portion of the costs or tuition for any second or subsequent
vocational program associated with their work programs and any A.A. or B.A.
programs that are part of their case management plans. The formula also
requires offenders to pay all costs and tuition of any post-secondary academic
program and any second or subsequent vocational program that is not part of
their case management plan.
As
a result of these statutory priorities, which were implemented in the context
of a 5 percent reduction in the department's education budget, most
post-secondary academic programs have been eliminated from state correctional
institutions. Many vocational programs were also reduced or eliminated that
were determined to have insufficient linkages to correctional industries work
programs or employment opportunities upon release.
Summary:
The
Department of Corrections is required to implement a one year pilot
post-secondary educational program for inmates. The department must ensure that
the pilot program tries to address all modes of instruction that inmates are
eligible to use, including distance learning and other technologies.
The
department must offer, through a RFP process (request for proposal), an
opportunity for community and four-year colleges to provide post-secondary
educational courses to inmates on a self-pay system. Although the department
must provide any necessary space and administrative support to any college or
university providing classes, each individual inmate is responsible for paying
all costs and tuition associated with participating in the courses. Any funds
saved in an inmate=s personal inmate savings account may be used for
paying for the courses.
The
Department of Corrections must select one prison for females and one prison for
males to implement the pilot program.
A
report must be submitted to the Legislature by January 1, 2001 from the
department and it must include recommendations regarding whether the pilot
post-secondary educational program should be extended and stating the number of
inmates who participated in the program.
Fiscal
Note: Requested on February 17,
1999.
Effective
Date: Ninety days after
adjournment of session in which bill is passed.