(1) The Department of Corrections and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding the correctional education system.

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(2) A memorandum of understanding entered into under this section shall contain, but is not limited to, provisions relating to:

(a) Sharing data between agencies;

(b) Providing clarity regarding the education programs that provide college credit, a college degree, a college certification, an industry-recognized certification or license or an apprenticeship that are available to adults in custody;

(c) Developing a policy on the availability of distance learning for adults in custody;

(d) Developing a method for aiding adults in custody with the process of applying for federal financial aid; and

(e) Any other policy or program necessary to comply with federal regulations related to educating adults in custody.

(3) Each year the Department of Corrections and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall jointly review and update the memorandum of understanding.

(4) The department and commission shall jointly convene an advisory committee to:

(a) Assist in the development of the memorandum of understanding;

(b) Periodically review and monitor the implementation of the memorandum of understanding; and

(c) Collaborate on the development of additional policies and practices to improve the prison education system in Oregon.

(5) The department and commission, after consulting with organizations representing prison educators and organizations representing individuals who are currently adults in custody and individuals who were formerly adults in custody, shall jointly appoint members to the advisory committee. The advisory committee must consist of at least:

(a) One female and one male adult in custody from one or more prison education programs;

(b) One individual who is a female and was formerly an adult in custody and one individual who is a male and was formerly an adult in custody;

(c) One employee of the Department of Corrections that manages prison education programs;

(d) One employee of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission who manages prison education programs;

(e) One employee the Oregon Youth Authority who manages juvenile education programs;

(f) One college coordinator;

(g) One professor or instructor at a college or university who provides educational instruction to adults in custody;

(h) One professor or instructor at a college or university who provides educational instruction to individuals who were formerly adults in custody;

(i) One administrator of a college or university prison education program; and

(j) One student advisor at a community college or university.

(6) The department and the commission may jointly appoint additional members to serve on the advisory committee.

(7) As used in this section:

(a) ‘Adult in custody’ means a person incarcerated or detained in a correctional facility who is accused of, convicted of or sentenced for a violation of criminal law or for the violation of the terms and conditions of pretrial release, probation, parole, post-prison supervision or a diversion program.

(b) ‘Correctional facility’ means a Department of Corrections institution or a jail. [2023 c.279 § 1]

421.079 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS Chapter 421 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

[1955 c.660 § 1; renumbered 421.705]