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Sponsors
8 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to correction
- Referred to correction
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Establishes a general education equivalency and higher education program in state correctional facilities
In Senate Committee · Crime Victims, Crime And Correction · Sponsor Eric Adams
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A8582
Title of bill
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to establishing a general equivalency program and a higher education program for inmates
Purpose or general idea of bill
To establish higher education and general equivalency education program in state correctional facilities. Education can reduce recidivism and provide the necessary tools to improve an inmate's quality of life, once he or she is 'released.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 136-a will enable all "inmates imprisoned for a determinate term, or an indeterminate sentence of imprisonment other than a sentence of life imprisonment without parole" to be evaluated for culpability of completing academic course work and provide each with an opportunity to complete the general equivalency program or the higher education program.
The department will ensure that academic education programs,include appropriate curriculum and certified academic staff for general equiv- alency and college credit instruction. Further, the department will assure that such programs are available at all correctional facilities, A classroom ratio of 20 inmates per instructor shall be present, in order to offer a competitive learning environment. The Commissioner, in cooperation with the Commissioner of Education will set up the educa- tional requirements for the certification of teachers in all correction- al facilities.
The Commissioner shall also plan for implementation of the general equivalency and college credit programs and will issue a report within twelve months after the effective date of this subdivision.
Justification
Data collected by the federal government show that pris- oners nationwide are far less educated than the general U.S. population and, before incarceration,. were significantly more impoverished (Insti- tute for Higher Education Policy). "Higher Education can improve condi- tions within correctional facilities, enhance prisoner self-esteem and prospects for employment after release, and function as a cost-effective approach 'to reducing recidivism. Educating prisoners allows them access to social and economic benefits associated with higher education (ibid)." Educational programs reduce recidivism by increasing an indi- vidual's ability to successfully rejoin mainstream society. Education is essential, especially in light of empirical data, which reveals the difficulty that ex-offenders have in gaining employment due to a lack of marketable skills. As of 1997, only 26% of those in state prisons and 41% of those in federal prisons had graduated from high school GEED or high school diploma attainment for state prisoners is only 60%. More- over, at least 70% of state and federal inmates, who held a GED as of 1997, earned it while in prison. In 1997, only 11% of state prisoners had at least some college education, and only 2W were college graduates. The general population was four to five times more likely to have attended college than were prisoners. - Researchers from the Justice
Policy Institute have found that as of 2000, 30% more Black men were in prison than enrolled in college. In 2003, the same researcher concluded that a Black man in his thirties is twice as likely to experience prison as to earn a college degree. Education reduces violence in prisons. Furthermore, educational programs can break down racial barriers, which in the prison setting are often an underlying cause of disciplinary problems and even violence. At an Indiana prison, a survey showed. that those taking classes committed 75% fewer infractions than the average inmate. Consequently, success in the classroom can translate into life success as the correlation between hard work and positive results become more tangible.
Prior legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
To be effective on the 120th day after becoming law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.