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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 12 TO CHAPTER 13, TITLE 24 SO AS TO ESTABLISH AN EDUCATION AND SPIRITUAL TRAINING PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO OFFER A PRISONER THE POSSIBILITY OF OBTAINING AN EARLY SUPERVISED RELEASE FROM PRISON UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM AND OBTAINING A JOB OFFER.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 13, Title 24 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 24-13-1200. (A) The Department of Corrections must implement a Self-Paced In-Class Education Program within each of its correctional facilities. This program must allow the inmate to complete either a vocational or spiritual training curriculum that would offer the inmate the possibility of obtaining an early supervised furlough release from prison upon completion of the program and obtaining a job offer.
(B) The vocational training option of the program must consist of:
(1) vocational training through courses recorded on video tape or compact disc that would be broadcasted to an inmate in his cell with a volunteer facilitator available to assist the inmate with his course work; and
(2) upon successful completion of his vocational training courses, supervised furlough from prison at a technical college that would provide the inmate with intensive hands-on training.
(C) Upon completion of the provisions contained in subsection (B), the state technical college system, Employment Security Commission, and the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation shall assist the inmate in obtaining employment.
(D) The spiritual training option of the program would consist of:
(1) a survey of New and Old Testament courses recorded on audio and video tapes or compact discs. Each book of the Bible would be covered in a forty minute audio or video tape, or on a compact disc. The inmate would be required to read a book of the Bible before he would enter into a discussion of this material with a prison volunteer or minister;
(2) completing courses on anger management, conflict resolution, and other topics selected by the department; and
(3) completing the vocational training option of the program contained in subsections (B) and (C)."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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