BILL REQ. #:  S-4857.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/04/08.   

     AN ACT Relating to creating a pilot program for the education of inmates; amending RCW 72.09.465; adding new sections to chapter 72.09 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The department shall establish a pilot program for the purpose of assessing the impact of inmate participation in two-year postsecondary education degree programs within state correctional institutions.
     (2) The department shall select two state correctional institutions as sites for the pilot program no later than November 1, 2008. In selecting the pilot sites, priority shall be given to those state correctional institutions that have had contracts, within the previous two years, with an accredited community college to provide postsecondary educational services to inmates. The department shall consider for inclusion in the pilot program any two-year postsecondary education degree program from an accredited community college that is part of an associate of arts degree program or that is intended to provide the first two years of the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree program, provided that priority shall be given to those community colleges that have demonstrated a history of contributing or demonstrates a future potential for contributing nonstate resources to the pilot program, such as volunteer staff.
     (3) In selecting inmates to participate in the pilot program, the department shall select a representative sampling of inmates with varying risk levels and backgrounds in order to conduct a reliable and complete recidivism reduction analysis and shall further give priority to inmates:
     (a) Whose individual reentry plan under RCW 72.09.270 includes postsecondary education degree program participation; and
     (b) Whose remaining period of incarceration will be no less than two-years but no more than four years at the commencement of participation in the pilot program.
     (4) The pilot program established by this section shall begin providing services by March 1, 2009, and shall extend for an additional period of four fiscal years, beginning July 1, 2009, and ending June 30, 2012.
     (5) Inmates shall not be required to pay the costs of participation in any two-year postsecondary education degree programs, including books, fees, tuition, or any other appropriate ancillary costs, if costs are incurred as a result of participating in the pilot program established under this section.
     (6) The department may accept any and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services from any third party including, but not limited to, nonprofit entities, and may receive, utilize, and dispose of the same to provide postsecondary education to inmates participating in the pilot program established under this section. Any funds collected by the department under this subsection shall be used solely for the creation, maintenance, or expansion of inmate educational and vocational programs.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The Washington state institute for public policy shall evaluate the pilot program established under section 1 of this act and shall make a preliminary report to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2015, and a final report by September 30, 2018.
     (2) The evaluation of the pilot program shall include whether the pilot program:
     (a) Is cost-effective;
     (b) Results in better employment and income outcomes for inmates participating in the program;
     (c) Affects maintenance of stable housing in the community; and
     (d) Impacts recidivism.

Sec. 3   RCW 72.09.465 and 2007 c 483 s 403 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall, if funds are appropriated for the specific purpose, implement postsecondary education degree programs within state correctional institutions, including the state correctional institution with the largest population of female inmates. The department shall consider for inclusion in any postsecondary education degree program, any postsecondary education degree program from an accredited community college, college, or university that is part of an associate of arts, baccalaureate, masters of arts, or other graduate degree program.
     (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section and section 1 of this act, inmates shall be required to pay the costs for participation in any postsecondary education degree programs established under this ((subsection [section])) section, including books, fees, tuition, or any other appropriate ancillary costs, by one or more of the following means:
     (a) The inmate who is participating in the postsecondary education degree program shall, during confinement, provide the required payment or payments to the department; or
     (b) A third party shall provide the required payment or payments directly to the department on behalf of an inmate, and such payments shall not be subject to any of the deductions as provided in this chapter.
     (3) The department may accept any and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services from any third party, including but not limited to nonprofit entities, and may receive, utilize, and dispose of same to provide postsecondary education to inmates.
     (4) Any funds collected by the department under this section ((and RCW 72.09.450(4))) shall be used solely for the creation, maintenance, or expansion of inmate postsecondary education degree programs.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Nothing in this act creates an entitlement for an inmate to receive services or funding under the pilot program established in this act, nor an obligation for the department to commence or maintain programs of higher education except as otherwise provided by law.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2008, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   Sections 1 and 2 of this act are each added to chapter 72.09 RCW.