Panel backs bill to expand prison education, create partnerships and a task force

The subcommittee unanimously reported House Bill 1041, a bill to expand and coordinate prison education across the Commonwealth.

Sponsor Delegate Carr said HB 1041 builds on prior work (including a bill vetoed last year) and JLARC research showing a need for improved DOC education services. The bill calls for DOC partnerships with the Department of Education, the Community College System and other agencies to support basic literacy, GED preparation and higher education access, including leveraging federal funds (for example, second-chance Pell) and reducing teacher vacancies in DOC programs. The bill also directs inclusion of DOC education data in the state Education and Workforce Data System and creates a four-year task force to guide implementation.

Multiple stakeholders, including the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, the Humanization Project and formerly incarcerated individuals who testified about education as a path to employment and reduced recidivism, voiced support. One witness, Morris Neenan, described how correctional education helped him obtain HVAC training and secure work after release.

The committee voted to report the bill and refer it to Senate Finance (Ayes 15, Nays 0). The sponsor said the bill leverages existing federal funding and agency expertise to improve reentry outcomes and lower recidivism.