HB 307-EXPANDING PRISONER ACCESS TO COMPUTERS    3:27:54 PM CO-CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 307, "An Act relating to living conditions for prisoners." 3:28:16 PM REID HARRIS, Staff, Representative Kreiss-Tomkins, Alaska State Legislature, paraphrased from the sponsor statement, which read: HB 307 bill amends AS 33.30.015(a) relating to living conditions for prisoners by removing the restriction prohibiting a prisoner from possessing a computer in the prisoner's cell, and expanding the approved purposes for which a prisoner may use a computer to include facilitation of rehabilitation and reintegration, access to legal reference materials, visitation, or as part of a reentry plan. 3:29:12 PM JENNIFER WINKELMAN, Acting Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections (DOC), relayed that the department supports HB 307 - the use of computers by inmates for reentry and rehabilitative purposes. She pointed out the zero-fiscal note (FN) and stated that under HB 307, the prohibition on inmate access to computers would be lifted; once the restriction was lifted, the department would consider the technologies and opportunities that exist. 3:30:24 PM REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked about department oversight regarding the inmate use of computers. MS. WINKELMAN answered that oversight would be addressed in the next phase. She said that the phase of lifting the restrictions would be first; examining the policies for oversight and determining the details of implementation would be in a second phase. REPRESENTATIVE VANCE offered that "reintegration into society" is vague. She maintained that the general public would support efforts to assist inmates with education and reintegration; and she acknowledged the importance of accessing services. She stated, however, that the phrase "reintegration into society" is too vague; the parameters of what an inmate may access is not well defined; and an inmate could legally demand access to social media and video games. MS. WINKELMAN responded that to date, the focus has been on General Education Development (GED) testing, [access to] Medicaid [a government health care insurance program], and "for the system to be able to create some sort of efficiency for other departments." She stated that she acknowledged the concerns and would welcome an amendment. CO-CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS commented that although the language is permissive, in no way would an inmate have the legal right to demand access to video games. MS. WINKELMAN concurred, and reiterated that the department has not had discussions on policies to address the concerns brought forward by Representative Vance. 3:33:46 PM REPRESENTATIVE STORY commented that school districts have information technology (IT) security measures; they dictate the sites that may or may not be accessed; the schools can monitor what students are accessing. She offered that DOC IT could also provide that security. REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON asked whether DOC would provide the computers for computer access. MS. WINKELMAN answered no. CO-CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS expressed his understanding that currently there is electronic device access by inmates and asked what devices they access and who provides the devices. MS. WINKELMAN replied that currently in facility education departments with computers, the computers are older and without internet access. In certain institutions, an inmate can purchase a video game machine; however, any of the computers provided to the inmates are "locked down" in the education department and overseen by correctional officers (COs) or education coordinators. 3:36:21 PM REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked for a clear statement of the goal for lifting the prohibition and exactly what opportunities exist for reintegration into society under HB 307. 3:37:26 PM KELLY HOWELL, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Department of Corrections (DOC), answered that the department considered knowledge and awareness of the use of technology as one of the aspects facilitating successful reintegration; once inmates are released, they would have a familiarity with filling out an online application for employment or health benefits. CO-CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS summarized that the intent of the proposed legislation is clear philosophically and as such, has the support of the committee; however, more specificity is needed on implementation mechanically and programmatically. REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked whether the use of computers for reentry would occur within the education department, or whether there are other areas in the prison where that would occur. MS. WINKELMAN answered that often the education department area is where reentry courses are held; however, many times volunteers from community and the reentry coalitions and the field and institutional probation officers (POs) work with inmates to prepare them for release. Not just the education coordinators or teachers in the facility help with the reentry program. CO-CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS stated that HB 307 would be held over.