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