BILL NUMBER: S4551

SPONSOR: FAHY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to degree-granting
programs offered by SUNY's office of higher education in prison

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill would amend the education law by implementing degree granting
programs in prisons.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends section 305 of the education law by adding a new
subsection 63. This subsection states that the commissioner shall put
into effect rules and/or regulations to direct the University of the
State of New York office of higher education in prisons to operate a
degree granting program in every correctional facility in the state by
2029.

              

Section 2: States effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The State University of New York currently offers college degrees inside
24 DOCCS facilities. These programs prevent recidivism, reduce racial,
ethnic, and socioeconomic gaps in educational attainment, and improve
social mobility. A meta-analysis of research on education and workforce
training programs by The Mackinac Center for Public Policy found that
these programs reduced recidivism of participants by 14.8%. Expanding
higher education in correctional facilities ensures greater access to
academic programs, providing incarcerated individuals with opportunities
to earn degrees, and supporting their reentry process.

This bill would expand an existing program with proven results by
directing SUNY to open degree granting programs in all remaining prisons
that do not currently have programs, and to double enrollment in the
programs, by 2029. Rehabilitation is one of the primary goals of incar-
ceration; by investing in higher education in prison, we would further
this goal.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.