(a) The department of correction shall, in partnership with the Tennessee higher education commission and the board of regents, develop and submit to the general assembly an annual report that details the higher education opportunities available to eligible incarcerated individuals in this state.
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 49-7-169
Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) The report must include:
(1) The number of eligible incarcerated individuals housed at each correctional facility who are participating in higher education opportunities;(2) The higher education opportunities available at each correctional facility, including the name of each institution of higher education providing higher education opportunities, along with a description of each course, field of study, or program provided by the institution of higher education;(3) The number of degrees annually conferred to eligible incarcerated individuals housed in a correctional facility, including the name of each institution of higher education conferring the degree;(4) Recommendations from the commissioner of correction, made in partnership with the executive director of the Tennessee higher education commission and the chancellor of the board of regents, to increase the higher education opportunities available to eligible incarcerated individuals housed in correctional facilities in this state; and(5) A plan to equip at least ten percent (10%) of eligible incarcerated individuals housed in correctional facilities in this state with a degree, diploma, or certificate by the year 2025 by increasing the availability of, and participation in, higher education opportunities provided by institutions of higher education.(c) The department shall transmit the report required under this section to the chairs of the judiciary and education committees of the senate and the criminal justice and education administration committees of the house of representatives, no later than January 1 of each year.
