SR 432: Senate Higher Education in Prison Study Committee; create

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.

WHEREAS, higher education is a strong determinant of employment outcomes, social mobility, and future income because it equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute effectively to society; and

WHEREAS, the 2023 overhaul of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid program allotted federal Pell Grants to people in prisons and increased total spending by $617 million, giving the nation the greatest opportunity to expand higher education in prison since such grants were cut in 1994; and

WHEREAS, there are currently more than 47,000 Georgians in our state prisons, which cost taxpayers $1.32 billion in 2024; and

WHEREAS, the rate of recidivism in Georgia is at least 30 percent, and postsecondary education has been found to be the most effective educational program at reducing recidivism with multiple studies finding that education in prison reduces its rate by 43 percent; and

WHEREAS, providing postsecondary education to people in prisons will add specialized laborers to Georgia's economy, bolstering our workforce to remain the number one state to do business; and

WHEREAS, providing postsecondary education in prison will allow people in prisons to use their time more productively, boost self-motivation and mental health, and develop real career skills to apply after release; and

WHEREAS, entire communities benefit when people released from prison return as more productive and educated individuals ready to contribute to their community; and

WHEREAS, previous studies have found that states ultimately offset all costs of implementing postsecondary education in prisons with future savings from reduced rates of recidivism; and

WHEREAS, other southern states have taken action in the form of expanding the number of colleges, universities, and technical schools offering small business training; and

WHEREAS, the Georgia Coalition for Higher Education in Prison and its associated organizations have started groundbreaking programs in Georgia's prisons, but their ability to expand educational opportunities and provide transition services is limited; and

WHEREAS, the aforesaid coalition and other organizations have identified five categories of challenges and obstacles for people in prisons continuing their postsecondary education after release, including issues related to scholarship eligibility, housing obtainment, behavioral health services, medical care, and access to employment; and

WHEREAS, a study is needed to further investigate the social and economic impacts of increasing postsecondary opportunities in Georgia's prisons and to thoroughly determine what measures may be necessary and appropriate to increase postsecondary education.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE:

(1) Creation of Senate study committee. There is created the Senate Higher Education in Prison Study Committee.

(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of five members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate, of whom one member may represent a district in which there is a private nonprofit prison education program. The President of the Senate shall designate two members to serve as cochairpersons, one from the majority party and one from the minority party.

(3) Powers and duties.

(A) The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.

(B) The duties of the committee shall also include, but not be limited to:

(i) Examining the state's current postsecondary and transition offerings; and

(ii) Studying the most recent data on postsecondary offerings in prisons and successful models around the country.

(4) Meetings. The cochairpersons shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.

(5) Allowances and funding.

(A) The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

(B) The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds appropriated to the Senate.

(6) Report.

(A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that include suggestions for proposed legislation, the cochairpersons shall file a report of the same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

(B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for proposed legislation, the cochairpersons shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

(C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee. A report so approved shall be signed by the cochairpersons of the committee and filed with the Secretary of the Senate.

(D) In the absence of an approved report, the cochairpersons may file with the Secretary of the Senate a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.

(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2026.