By Ms. Khan of Newton, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1542) of Kay Khan and others for legislation to establish certain prerelease programs for female inmates of correctional institutions.  The Judiciary.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Kay Khan

Ellen Story

Mark C. Montigny

Timothy J. Toomey, Jr.

Ruth B. Balser

Gloria L. Fox

Peter V. Kocot

Elizabeth A. Malia

Alice Hanlon Peisch

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act regulating programs outside correctional institutions for female inmates.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1.  Section 49 of Chapter 127 of the Massachusetts General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition is hereby amended by inserting, in line 7, after the word “facility” the following words:— and shall ensure that there exist at all times programs outside correctional facilities available to each female offender who is within eighteen months of parole and eligible for such programs. The commissioner shall ensure that such programs provide training which is practical and realistic to an inmate’s ability to obtain marketable skills for securing meaningful employment upon being paroled, and shall offer referral resources for pregnant women who are leaving said facilities, to food and nutrition programs for themselves and for children who are born while the women are confined in facilities.

SECTION 2. Said Section 49 of said Chapter 127 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting, in line 45, after the word “facility”, the following words:— In order to facilitate the reintegration of committed female offenders, the commissioner of correction shall, insofar as practical, ensure that such programs, including pre-release centers, are established in the home communities of inmates eligible for such programs.