45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

REQUESTING THAT THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT AND THE CORRECTIONS COMMISSION REPORT TO AN APPROPRIATE INTERIM LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REGARDING STRATEGIES TO EXPAND CORRECTIONS INDUSTRIES ENTERPRISES.

WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the Corrections Industries Act, the corrections department and the corrections commission are responsible for the operation of corrections industries in correctional facilities; and

WHEREAS, as set forth in statute, the purpose of the Corrections Industries Act "is to enhance the rehabilitation, education and vocational skills of inmates through productive involvement in enterprises and public works of benefit to state agencies and local public bodies and to minimize inmate idleness"; and

WHEREAS, the availability of vocational programming is also necessary so that inmates may have the opportunity to earn meritorious deductions from their sentences; and

WHEREAS, in order to address high rates of recidivism among inmates, the vocational programming should provide them with viable job skills that they can use to gain employment after they complete their term of incarceration;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the corrections department and the corrections commission be requested to develop strategies to expand corrections industries enterprises; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the corrections department and the corrections commission report their findings to an appropriate interim legislative committee no later than November 1, 2002; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of corrections and the corrections commission.