What's happening
This bill creates a commission to study and develop a plan for improving education in New York state prisons.
Why it matters
Focuses on successful reentry. By specifically directing the commission to study how education affects employment and reintegration after release, the bill highlights the role of education in helping formerly incarcerated individuals build stable, productive lives.
Targets reducing recidivism. The legislation not only looks at immediate educational outcomes but also requires evaluation of how educational programs can reduce repeat offenses, potentially leading to safer communities and lower prison populations.
Brings diverse perspectives. The commission’s membership is structured to include appointments from both executive and legislative branches, including majority and minority leaders, ensuring a range of viewpoints and potentially more balanced recommendations.
Sets a clear timeline for action. With a ten-month deadline to issue a report, the bill aims to generate actionable recommendations quickly, possibly accelerating reforms in prison education if the findings are taken up by policymakers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Prison Education Improvements
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to crime victims, crime and correction
- Referred to crime victims, crime and 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.
Study Prison Education Improvements
In Assembly Committee · Correction · Sponsor Charles Barron
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2235
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 12, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to establishing a commission on improving education in state prisons
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The correction law is amended by adding a new section 49 to read as follows:
§ 49. Commission on prison education. There is hereby established a commission on prison education comprised of nine members who shall study and develop a plan for improving education in the state prison system. The commission on prison education shall consider and investigate the following factors when determining education improvements: the impact on an inmate's employment opportunities upon release from prison, the impact on an inmate's reintegration into society and the effectiveness in reducing recidivism. Appointments to the task force shall be made as follows: three by the governor; two by the speaker of the assembly; one by the minority leader of the assembly; two by the temporary president of the senate and one by the minority leader of the senate. The commission on prison education shall issue a report within ten months after the effective date of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00226-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to establishing a commission on improving education in state prisons
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would amend the correction law by adding a new section that establishes a commission on improving prison education.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of adds a new section 49 to the correction law. This section states that there is hereby established a commission on prison education comprised of nine members who shall study and develop a Plan for improving education in the state prison system. The commission shall consider and investigate the following factors when determining education improvements: the impact on inmate's employment opportunities upon release from prison, the impact on an inmate's reintegration into society and the effectiveness in reducing recidivism.
Appointments to the task force shall be made as follows: three by the governor; two by the speaker of the assembly; one by the minority leader of the assembly; two by the temporary president of the senate and one by the minority leader. of the senate.
The commission shall issue a report within ten months after the effective date of this paragraph.
Section 2 this act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
Rehabilitation of inmate's at prisons is more than simple punishment; it should involve a strong education curriculum to ensure that rehabilitated inmates do not resort to crime when they are released. Released inmates often have difficulty finding jobs as convicted felons. The lack of quality education in prisons helps contribute to the recidivism of some inmates. This commission is charged with defining the skills that will help inmates return to society as a more productive citizen.
Prior legislative history
2015-16: S.2520/A.5973 - Referred to Crime Victims, Crime, and Corrections 2013-14: S.2782/A.1107 - Referred to Crime Victims, Crime, and Corrections 2011-12: S.6702/A.2315 - Referred to Crime Victims, Crime, and Corrections
Fiscal implications
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.