Governor Newsom Signs Legislation into Law that will Increase Higher Education and Vocational Training Opportunities for Parolees
SB 990 by Senator Hueso will remove barriers for parolees seeking educational opportunities, reducing recidivism
Sacramento, CA, September 30, 2022 - Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 990 by Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) into law, removing barriers system-impacted individuals face when accessing higher education and vocational training. Now signed into law, SB 990 will prioritize education for formerly incarcerated individuals who are on parole, allowing them to live, work or pursue a post-secondary educational or vocational training program located outside of the county of their last legal residence. Introduced by State Senator Ben Hueso and co-sponsored by the Michelson Center for Public Policy, Root & Rebound, and the Underground Scholars Initiative, SB 990 will expand educational opportunities and reduce recidivism.
“The new law will make post-secondary education more accessible for system-impacted individuals on parole, allowing them to relocate to the county in which they have the opportunity to pursue educational or vocational training,” said Senator Hueso. “The legislation will specifically help incarcerated individuals who want to expand upon the educational and vocational resources available to them while in prison, which will help these individuals build a successful career and life.
Many system-impacted individuals are required to complete their sentence on parole, but are returned to the county of their last legal residence. Parole officers have complete discretion over the approval process for an individual’s application to transfer to another county, meaning applications can be denied regardless of the educational or employment opportunities an individual may have in another county. The new law increases the likelihood of transfer being accepted, allowing these individuals to relocate to the county where they have education or vocational training programs, job prospects, housing options, familial support or treatment facilities.
“We are thrilled that Governor Newsom signed SB 990 into law. Senator Hueso has been a great partner in introducing the legislation and advocating for improvements for those transitioning out of the prison system,” said Phil Kim with the Michelson Center for Public Policy (MCPP). “The current system does not meet the needs of formerly incarcerated individuals returning to the community. This new law will help facilitate smooth and successful transitions for these individuals as they pursue education, employment and housing opportunities.”
“By signing SB 990 into law, Governor Newsom is breaking down unnecessary bureaucratic barriers and improving the likelihood that thousands of system-impacted individuals and their families will successfully transition back into society,” said Gail Yen with Root & Rebound.
“We commend Governor Newsom for signing this legislation into law. SB 990 will remove hurdles that formerly incarcerated people must navigate during the parole transfer process, providing more opportunities for system-impacted individuals to create a successful life after incarceration,” said Azadeh Zohrabi with Underground Scholars. “We are grateful for Senator Hueso’s leadership in the legislative process and we hope this law will encourage more people to pursue postsecondary education.”
Finding sustainable employment opportunities while transitioning out of incarceration is one of the biggest challenges system-impacted individuals face. In signing this legislation, the Governor took a crucial step in helping alleviate the roadblocks.
Higher education institutions provide students with resources that reduce recidivism, including housing and positive social communities. An increasing number of incarcerated individuals have earned admission to postsecondary institutions. Despite these individuals’ acceptance into these programs, some parole officers have denied transfer requests, severely hindering their ability to seize these opportunities and smoothly transition back into society. The passage of SB 990 moves us one step closer to supporting reentry efforts statewide.
SB 990 will go into effect on January 1, 2023. Read the legislation here.
