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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget2026-04-29

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill appropriates $30 million in one-time funding to construct an education center at Harnett Correctional Institution. The center would offer incarcerated individuals access to a sexual offender rehabilitation program, four-year bachelor's degrees through partnerships with Campbell University and Fayetteville State University, and one-year certificates and two-year degrees through Central Carolina Community College.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that education and rehabilitation programs reduce recidivism rates, helping formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reintegrate into society and become productive members of their communities.
• •They contend that offering degree programs and certifications provides incarcerated people with job skills and credentials that increase employment prospects after release, which benefits public safety and reduces future crime.
• •Additionally, proponents may argue this investment improves conditions within the facility and demonstrates a commitment to rehabilitation over purely punitive approaches.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may question whether $30 million is the best use of limited state resources, particularly when education funding in public schools faces constraints.
• •Some argue that educational opportunities should prioritize law-abiding citizens first, or that incarcerated individuals should bear more of the cost themselves.
• •Critics may also express concerns about whether these programs will actually be completed and utilized by inmates, or worry about security and management challenges of operating an education center within a correctional facility.