GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1993 SESSION

CHAPTER 59
SENATE BILL 46

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A PILOT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO REHABILITATE PRISON INMATES AND REDUCE RECIDIVISM BY UTILIZING A COURSE OF STUDY BASED ON DEVELOPING POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDES.

Whereas, the State of North Carolina has a strong interest in maintaining discipline and order among the inmates in its prison system, and in lowering the rate of recidivism by making offenders more aware of the need to achieve goals without violating the rights of others; and
Whereas, self-esteem and self-discipline are key elements in helping inmates develop employable skills and positive work habits; and
Whereas, other states have had highly successful programs utilizing the Napoleon Hill Foundation's PMA Science of Success course, which focuses on the development of self-esteem, self-discipline, and other principles of successful living; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  The Division of Prisons of the Department of Correction shall undertake a pilot program to determine whether an inmate study course based on developing positive mental attitudes through self-esteem and self-discipline will affect the incidence of institutional disciplinary infractions and recidivism.  The pilot program shall be set up at a minimum of six sites statewide: one site shall be a female facility, two sites shall be youth facilities, and three sites shall be adult facilities.  Of the three adult facilities, one site shall be close custody, one site shall be medium custody, and one site shall be minimum custody.  In the discretion of the Department, an additional site at one of the new facilities may be selected at which the pilot program will be a component of a specialized program.
Sec. 2.  The Division shall undertake the pilot program within funds available, and shall report on the implementation and operation of the pilot program to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and to the General Research Division and the Fiscal Research Division no later than May 1, 1994.
Sec. 3.  The pilot program will be tracked and evaluated by the Department of Correction with an evaluation model that is consistent with existing models that show the program's impact on participants, both during incarceration and after release.  The Department will file a written evaluation of the pilot program and any recommendations with the Chairmen of the Appropriations Committees of the General Assembly on or before May 1, 1995.
Sec 4.  This act is effective upon ratification and shall expire on June 30, 1995.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 24th day of May, 1993.

─────────────────── 
Dennis A. Wicker
President of the Senate

─────────────────── 
Daniel Blue, Jr.
Speaker of the House of Representatives