Bill > A06643

This bill establishes a pilot project that would allow the placement of inmates who are parents of minor children in the correctional facility closest to their child's primary residence, provided such placement is suitable and would facilitate increased contact between the inmate and their child. The project would have a maximum of 100 male and female inmate participants, selected on a voluntary basis. The commissioner would be required to submit annual reports evaluating the project's impact on the inmates, their children, and family participants, as well as its impact on institutional safety and performance. The project would have certain eligibility criteria, and the commissioner would have the authority to revoke an inmate's participation for disciplinary infractions or failure to participate in assigned programs. The bill also provides for an eligibility preference for child welfare cases and for inmates who were primary caregivers.