N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651-A:22-b

Current through the 2024 Legislative Session

Section 651-A:22-b - Corrections Education And Vocational Planning Group

I. There is established a corrections education and vocational planning group (CEVPG) to consider opportunities for career and educational programming in the New Hampshire state prison, including higher education pathways that have demonstrable benefits including facility safety, public safety, lower recidivism, self-efficacy, intergenerational improvement, and employability.

II. The members of the CEVPG shall be:

(a) Commissioner of the department of corrections, or designee, who shall serve as chair;

(b) Chancellor of the university system of New Hampshire, or designee;

(c) Chancellor of the community college system of New Hampshire, or designee;

(d) Director of rehabilitative services, department of corrections;

(e) Commissioner of the department of employment security, or designee;

(f) Commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs, or designee;

(g) Director of the division of adult education, department of education;

(h) President of the New England Board of Higher Education, or designee;

(i) A formerly incarcerated person, appointed by the director of rehabilitative services, department of corrections;

(j) Executive director of OPLC, or their designee; and

(k) Director of rehabilitative services, or their designee.

III. The CEVPG shall consult as necessary with the New England Board of Higher Education, other New England departments of corrections, service providers, and advocates.

IV. The CEVPG shall consider policies, implementation strategies, and funding needs, including but not limited to:

(a) Strategic planning for educational challenges and opportunities;

(b) Sustainable partnerships with New Hampshire institutions of higher education for the delivery of courses and programs;

(c) Credit transfer compacts to ensure higher education institution acceptance of credits earned before and during incarceration, including strategies for completion of degree programs after release from incarceration;

(d) College readiness programs; and

(e) Coordination with cross-facility and cross-state programs and the New England Board of Higher Education to expand availability of offerings.

V. The CEVPG shall:

(a) Assess labor market needs and in-demand skills and credentials for alignment of postsecondary education in prison;

(b) Inventory the department of corrections facility needs, including space, staffing, and access to technology and computer equipment, within safety protocols;

(c) Assess opportunities for work-based learning and apprenticeships;

(d) Identify barriers to continuity of academic programs, support, campus access upon release, and consider the establishment of reentry navigators at participating higher education institutions;

(e) Examine ways to prioritize postsecondary and career pathways in the intake and classification processes, and the use of education and career navigators;

(f) Examine the supplementation of Pell Grant funding by New Hampshire institutions of higher education for Pell Grant-eligible, formerly incarcerated persons; and

(g) Consider state budgetary needs, sources of federal funding in addition to Second Chance Pell Grants, and grant funding regarding implementation and planning for new and existing educational opportunities, especially in coordination with the England Board of Higher Education and other departments of correction in New England.

VI. The CEVPG shall file annual reports on group progress and recommendations beginning on December 1, 2024, with all organizations listed in paragraph II, as well as the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives.

RSA 651-A:22-b

Added by 2024, 37:1, eff. 7/30/2024.