A JOINT MEMORIAL

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

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; and

WHEREAS, if vocational programming is expanded and

improved, inmates will have an opportunity to earn higher salaries and thus will enable them to pay restitution to their victims;

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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the corrections department examine strategies and programs used by the Texas department of corrections for corrections industries; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the corrections department report its findings to an appropriate interim legislative committee no later than October 31, 2003; and

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