SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 698

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JUNE 12, 1997

      The Senate Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 698 with committee amendments.

      The Office of Education in the Department of Corrections provides education and training opportunities for incarcerated adults in order to help them become productive citizens rather than repeat criminals. As a result, their threat to the public's safety is greatly diminished, and major savings in tax dollars are also realized.

      While the Office of Education provides effective programs in a productive and efficient way, this bill, as amended, upgrades the title of the head of the office from Director of Educational Services to Assistant Commissioner of Education in order to make it a more viable and credible part of the Department of Corrections. The upgrading of the title of the head of the office would give the office the type of status and support needed for its efforts. It would also convey that New Jersey gives priority to providing incarcerated individuals with the opportunities to reform themselves and become productive members of society upon their release.

      The committee adopted an amendment which maintains the name of the office and technical amendments which change the title of the head of the office from director to assistant commissioner throughout the statute section.