Participant Facilitated Recidivism Reduction Program

The bill requires the department of corrections (department) to operate a pilot program, known as the "re-imagine program" (program), contract with a third-party organization to assign an individual employed by the organization to serve as the program developer to develop and study strategies for implementing a pre-release and reentry program (program) at the Sterling correctional facility (facility). The program must be designed in consultation with residents and provide program participants with resources to support their rehabilitation and to reduce recidivism. The program is facilitated by a program board comprised of program participants and department staff. The program board shall review applications for participation in the program and approve applicants in accordance with program rules.The program must provide training in trades and other employment-focused activities, education in skills beneficial for a participant following release from confinement, and mental health sessions. The program board shall create a program plan for each participant based on the participant's individual case and risk factors.The bill requires the general assembly to appropriate money to fund the program through state fiscal year 2027-28. The department is required to annually report to the general assembly about the program. The pilot program is repealed June 30, 2028. The bill requires the department, in its annual reports in 2027 and 2028, to recommend whether to continue the program and whether to expand the program to other correctional facilities.The bill requires the department to allow the program developer to work in the facility with residents. The program developer develops the program, studies implementation strategies, and prepares a report about the development of the program. The program developer must consult with residents to design the program and conduct research and analyze data necessary to prepare the program report.

The program must provide participants with training in skilled or professional trades and other employment-focused activities, education in skills beneficial to a participant following release from confinement, and mental and behavioral health counseling sessions.

The program developer is required to report, on or before December 31, 2023, to the house of representatives judiciary committee, the senate judiciary committee, and the department, about the development of the program.

The bill makes an appropriation.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)