HOUSE MEMORIAL 63

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2020

INTRODUCED BY

Gail Chasey and Karen C. Bash

and Marian Matthews and Natalie Figueroa

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE SECRETARY OF CORRECTIONS, THE SECRETARY OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE SECRETARY OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO REPORT ON COURSEWORK TAUGHT WITHIN THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM THAT RESULTS IN A CERTIFICATE OR ASSOCIATE OR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE.

 

     WHEREAS, educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals contribute to post-incarceration success and lower recidivism rates; and

     WHEREAS, the corrections department is responsible for the development, implementation and management of educational programming opportunities for incarcerated individuals; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico sentencing commission reports that the current inmate population is approximately six thousand eight hundred persons; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico sentencing commission reports a recidivism rate of forty-six percent;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the secretary of corrections, the secretary of higher education and the secretary of workforce solutions be requested to convene a working group to report on coursework taught within the corrections system that results in a certificate or associate or baccalaureate degree and any clearly defined barriers or opportunities faced by students in education programs offered by the corrections department; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be requested to make a report of its findings and recommendations to the appropriate legislative interim committees that study issues pertaining to criminal justice; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of corrections, the secretary of higher education, the secretary of workforce solutions and the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council.

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