SR432: SR432 Senate Higher Education in Prison Study Committee; create

26 LC 61 0483S (SCS) Senate Resolution 432 By: Senators Harrell of the 40th, Hickman of the 4th and Burns of the 23rd ADOPTED SENATE A RESOLUTION Creating the Senate Higher Education in Prison Study Committee; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, higher education is a strong determinant of employment outcomes, social2 mobility, and future income because it equips individuals with the knowledge and skills3 needed to contribute effectively to society; and4 WHEREAS, the 2023 overhaul of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid program5 allotted federal Pell Grants to people in prisons and increased total spending by $617 million,6 giving the nation the greatest opportunity to expand higher edu cation in prison since such7 grants were cut in 1994; and8 WHEREAS, there are currently more than 47,000 Georgians in our state prisons, which cost9 taxpayers $1.32 billion in 2024; and10 WHEREAS, the rate of recidivism in Georgia is at least 30 perce nt, and postsecondary11 education has been found to be the most effective educational p rogram at reducing12 recidivism with multiple studies finding that education in pris on reduces its rate by 4313 percent; and14 S. R. 432 - 1 - 26 LC 61 0483S (SCS) WHEREAS, providing postsecondary education to people in prisons will add specialized15 laborers to Georgia's economy, bolstering our workforce to remain the number one state to16 do business; and17 WHEREAS, providing postsecondary education in prison will allow people in prisons to use18 their time more productively, boost self-motivation and mental health, and develop real19 career skills to apply after release; and20 WHEREAS, entire communities benefit when people released from prison return as more21 productive and educated individuals ready to contribute to their community; and22 WHEREAS, previous studies have found that states ultimately off set all costs of23 implementing postsecondary education in prisons with future savings from reduced rates of24 recidivism; and25 WHEREAS, other southern states have taken action in the form of expanding the number of26 colleges, universities, and technical schools offering small business training; and27 WHEREAS, the Georgia Coalition for Higher Education in Prison a nd its associated28 organizations have started groundbreaking programs in Georgia's prisons, but their ability29 to expand educational opportunities and provide transition services is limited; and30 WHEREAS, the aforesaid coalition and other organizations have identified five categories31 of challenges and obstacles for people in prisons continuing their postsecondary education32 after release, including issues related to scholarship eligibil ity, housing obtainment,33 behavioral health services, medical care, and access to employment; and34 S. R. 432 - 2 - 26 LC 61 0483S (SCS) WHEREAS, a study is needed to further investigate the social an d economic impacts of35 increasing postsecondary opportunities in Georgia's prisons and to thoroughly determine36 what measures may be necessary and appropriate to increase postsecondary education.37 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE:38 (1) Creation of Senate study committee. There is created the Senate Higher Education39 in Prison Study Committee.40 (2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of five members of the41 Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate, of whom one member may42 represent a district in which there is a private nonprofit prison education program. The43 President of the Senate shall designate two members to serve as cochairpersons, one from44 the majority party and one from the minority party.45 (3) Powers and duties.46 (A) The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, n eeds, issues, and47 problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation48 which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.49 (B) The duties of the committee shall also include, but not be limited to: 50 (i) Examining the state's current postsecondary and transition offerings; and51 (ii) Studying the most recent data on postsecondary offerings in prisons and52 successful models around the country.53 (4) Meetings. The cochairpersons shall call all meetings of the committee. T h e54 committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem55 necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform56 its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.57 (5) Allowances and funding.58 (A) The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided59 for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.60 S. R. 432 - 3 - 26 LC 61 0483S (SCS) (B) The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member61 of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. Funds62 necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds63 appropriated to the Senate.64 (6) Report.65 (A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that66 include suggestions for proposed legislation, the cochairpersons shall file a report of the67 same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolut ion, subject to68 subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.69 (B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not i nclude suggestions for70 proposed legislation, the cochairpersons shall file the report, s u b j e c t t o71 subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.72 (C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of73 abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee.74 A report so approved shall be signed by the cochairpersons of the committee and filed75 with the Secretary of the Senate.76 (D) In the absence of an approved report, the cochairpersons m ay file with the77 Secretary of the Senate a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu78 thereof.79 (7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2026.80 S. R. 432 - 4 -