Washington Roundup
November 14, 2003
Contact: Jenny Collier and Alexa Eggleston
Legal Action Center
202-544-5478
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Washington Roundup November 14, 2003 |
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Contact: Jenny Collier and Alexa Eggleston Legal Action Center 202-544-5478 |
Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) introduced S. 1793, the “College Quality, Affordability, and Diversity Improvement Act of 2003.” The bill, which seeks to make college more affordable for all students, coincides with Congressional action to reauthorize the Higher Education Act of 1998 (HEA) during the 108th Congress. The HEA authorizes the federal government's major student financial aid programs, which are administered by the Department of Education.
In 1998, the HEA was amended by Congress to delay or deny federal financial aid to students on the basis of any drug offense. Over 100,000 students have been penalized on account of this provision. S. 1793 contains a provision on “student eligibility” that would remove this bar on financial aid for students convicted of drug crimes.
Following introduction, S. 1793 was referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, where Senator Kennedy serves as the Ranking Member. The bill is co-sponsored by five other Democratic Senators who serve on the HELP committee.
House of Representatives Passes H.R. 1829, the “Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2003;” Bill Includes Provisions to Improve Inmate Work Opportunities and Plans for Release from Incarceration
The House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 1829, the “Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2003" by a vote of 350 to 65. Representative Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) sponsored the bill with 142 bi-partisan co-sponsors. In general, this bill would change the current Federal criminal code to establish a competitive Government-wide procurement policy for purchases from Federal Prison Industries (FPI). This policy would require FPI to compete for its contracts with private sector firms and non-inmate workers. The bill includes several provisions that would increase the available opportunities for federal inmates to receive educational and vocational training and to participate in rehabilitation programs to prepare them for their release. These provisions include:
• Establishing the Enhanced In-Prison Educational and Vocational Assessment and Training Program within the Federal Bureau of Prisons. This program would provide in prison assessments of inmates’ needs and aptitudes, a full range of educational opportunities, vocational training and apprenticeships, and comprehensive release-readiness preparation. The bill would mandate that all components of this program be established in all Federal prisons within 8 years after the date of enactment.
• Establishing within the Federal Bureau of Prisons the Cognitive Abilities Assessment Demonstration Program. This program would determine the effectiveness of a program that assesses the cognitive abilities and perceptual skills of Federal inmates to maximize the benefits of various rehabilitative opportunities designed to prepare each inmate for a successful return to society and reduce recidivism. This demonstration program would be conducted over a three year period at 12 Federal correctional institutions and offered to 6,000 minimum security or less inmates who are within five years of release.
• Providing prerelease employment assistance. This assistance would include training in the preparation of resumes and job applications, training in interviewing skills, training and assistance in job search techniques, conducting job fairs, and other methods of assistance determined appropriate by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Priority in program participation would be given to individuals who are participating in Federal Prison Industries work opportunities and within 24 months of release.