A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to direct the division of adult correction to develop and implement a pilot project to allow adult offenders and juveniles who are in good standing to have access to computer tablets for the purpose of continuing education, Behavioral modification, and rehabilitative programming in preparation for reentry into society.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Pilot Project. – The Division of Adult Correction of the Department of Public Safety shall establish and implement a pilot project to allow adult offenders and juveniles who (i) are on good behavior and (ii) are within two years from their projected release date to have access to computer tablets for the purposes of taking continuing education classes, vocational classes, parenting classes, domestic violence/anger management classes, and other programs approved by the Division of Adult Correction. The Division of Adult Correction will determine what databases shall be accessible from the tablets. The purpose of the project is to prevent recidivism by allowing adult offenders and juveniles to build educational credentials, participate in prerelease planning and preparation activities, build social support in the outside community, and expose the adult offenders and juveniles to updated technology prior to release.
SECTION 2.  Sites. – The Division of Adult Correction shall select one or more State correctional institutions, youth development centers, and residential treatment facilities to implement the project.
SECTION 3.  The Division of Adult Correction shall utilize available funds during the 2016‑2017 fiscal year to conduct the pilot project required by Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 4.  Report. – The Division of Adult Correction shall report on the results of the pilot project to the 2019 Regular Session of the General Assembly, upon its reconvening.
SECTION 5.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) in nonrecurring funds to be utilized toward the implementation of the pilot project.
SECTION 6.  Effective Date. – This act is effective when it becomes law.