Bill Text: MS HB288 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Department of Corrections; provide certain educational programs for adult offenders.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2015-02-03 - Died In Committee [HB288 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2015-HB288-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Corrections; Appropriations
By: Representative Scott
House Bill 288
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO ADMINISTER THE ADULT BASIC EXAMINATION TO EACH ADULT OFFENDER WITHIN ITS CUSTODY; TO PROVIDE THAT IF SUCH OFFENDER FAILS THE EXAMINATION, HE OR SHE SHALL RECEIVE INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION AS WELL AS REMEDIAL CLASSES UNTIL HE OR SHE PASSES THE EXAMINATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, between 1992 and 2012, the budget of the Mississippi Department of Corrections has increased three hundred ten percent (310%), and it had a budget of Three Hundred Thirty-nine Million Dollars ($339,000,000.00) in 2013; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Corrections spent Three Million Thirty-nine Dollars ($339,000,000.00) on corrections in fiscal year 2013, which is a significant increase from Two Hundred Seventy-six Million Dollars ($276,000,000.00) in 2003; and
WHEREAS, along with the budget increase, the state's prison population has increased all but four (4) years since 1990, which is a one hundred seventy percent (170%) increase in the last twenty-two (22) years; and
WHEREAS, a primary contributor of why crimes are committed by offenders is the lack of education; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi offenders who complete a prison education program have a three-year recidivism rate of about two percent (2%); and
WHEREAS, in 2013, the Mississippi Department of Corrections reported a recidivism rate of twenty-seven and sixty-five one hundredths percent (27.65%), the lowest in the country; and
WHEREAS, educational programs while offenders are incarcerated are key to ensuring that offenders will not reoffend; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) The Department of Correction's Adult Basic Education division (ABE) shall administer to each adult offender an examination that meets the twelfth grade educational requirements of the state. If an offender fails the examination in any subject area, the department shall provide a planned program of individualized instruction as well as remedial classes for the offender until he or she passes the examination.
(2) Any offender who successfully completes the ABE examination shall be awarded meritorious earned time as provided under Section 47-5-142.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.
