This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Senate Education Committee on Monday approved a bill that would fund postsecondary education for 479 prison inmates currently enrolled in college classes.
Rep. Jack Draxler, R-North Logan, sponsor of HB86, told colleagues his bill does not expand educational opportunities for Utah's inmates. Rather, the $1.5 million it appropriates would help stabilize existing postsecondary educational programs for inmates. Inmates must pay between 40 and 90 cents per dollar of their tuition based on their pay rate while working in prison, he said.
Educating inmates saves taxpayers' money in the long run by reducing recidivism to as much as 16 percent, Draxler said.
- Ben Fulton
