Think Outside the Cage: UT - Committee Funds Prison College Ed

Who is the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition?

Our mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We are a coalition of nearly 7,000 individual members and over 100 faith and community organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

Our chief areas of interest include drug policy reform, women in prison, racial injustice, the impact of incarceration on children and families, the problems associated with re-entry and stopping the practice of using private prisons in our state.

If you would like to be involved please go to our website and become a member.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

UT - Committee Funds Prison College Ed

The Salt Lake Tribune Article Last Updated: 02/12/2008

The Senate Education Committee on Monday approved a bill that would fund postsecondary education for 479 prison inmates currently enrolled in college classes.
Rep. Jack Draxler, R-North Logan, sponsor of HB86, told colleagues his bill does not expand educational opportunities for Utah's inmates. Rather, the $1.5 million it appropriates would help stabilize existing postsecondary educational programs for inmates. Inmates must pay between 40 and 90 cents per dollar of their tuition based on their pay rate while working in prison, he said.
Educating inmates saves taxpayers' money in the long run by reducing recidivism to as much as 16 percent, Draxler said.

Real Cost Of Prison