SENATE MEMORIAL 61

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

INTRODUCED BY

Antoinette Sedillo Lopez

 

 

 

 

 

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 SENATE 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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