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Minutes for HB2401 - Committee on Ways and Means
Short Title
Authorizing the secretary of corrections to enter agreements for public-private partnerships for projects for new or renovated buildings at correctional institutions for education, skills-building and spiritual needs programs; establishing a nonprofit corporation to receive gifts, donations, grants and other moneys and engage in fundraising projects for funding such projects for education, skills-building and spiritual needs programs.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 25, 2021
Chairperson Billinger opened the hearing on HB 2401. Jill Wolters, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of the bill and responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 11)
Senator Jeff Pittman, 5th District, testified in support of the bill. Lansing Correctional Facility is in his district and he knows it's difficult for inmates to reintegrate into society. Skill building would help reduce recidivism and put them in a better position for success. While he does not want this to lead to private prisons, he believes this is a great program. (Attachment 12)
Secretary Jeff Zmuda, Kansas Department of Corrections, stood in favor of the bill. Ninety eight percent of the prison population will one day be released back out into communities. Having training has shown to increase their chances of getting a job with a livable wage job and are one third less likely to return to prison, which is good for their families and the communities. This is a unique opportunity to help prepare the prison population for reintegration but there is a lack of adequate space to provide opportunities. A public-private partnership would help build a talented workforce and make them successful and contributing members of their communities. Secretary Zmuda responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 13)
John Jenks, Greater Kansas City Chamber, testified in support of the bill. The goal is to use this model at other facilities throughout the state and to be a model for other states. There is more of an acceptance of hiring those who have been incarcerated and the Kansas City Chamber actively works with employers who are more interested in hiring reliable workers than in the background of potential candidates. This is a smart investment and the Chamber stands ready to support the Kansas Department of Corrections in this effort. (Attachment 14)
Written testimony in support of the bill was submitted by:
Jason Watkins, Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 15)
Monsignor Stuart Swetland, President, Donnelly College (Attachment 16)
Rick Armstrong, Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission (Attachment 17)
Keith Lawing, Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas, Inc. (Attachment 18)
There being no further conferees, Chairperson Billinger closed the hearing on HB 2401.
