FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2026) — The House Judiciary Committee considered a bill on Wednesday that seeks to reduce recidivism and boost Kentucky’s workforce.
House Bill 5, sponsored by the committee’s co-chair, Rep. Jennifer Decker (R-Waddy), would establish the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Prison Education Program.
“This initiative will lower recidivism, accelerate workforce development, help address Kentucky’s labor needs, and deliver long-term security savings to society through reduced reincarceration rates,” Decker said.
Under HB 5, KCTCS would partner with the Kentucky Department of Corrections to build and operate a model vocational training campus at Northpoint Training Center, a men’s prison in Boyle County.
Decker said the legislation is modeled after a similar, successful initiative in Michigan.
“Michigan’s results are not theoretical,” she said. “They are proof that HB 5 is grounded in real world evidence and delivers a proven data-supported return on investment, safer communities, dramatically lower reincarceration rates, and a stronger workforce that helps create more tax-paying citizens.”
Inmates serving a life sentence without parole or who have been convicted of a sex crime would not be eligible for the program, according to the bill. Inmates who have previously escaped prison, or attempted to, would also not qualify.
Kerry Harvey, a representative from the governor’s office and former secretary of Kentucky’s Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, told the committee HB 5 would not replace prosecution or punishment.
“It is not a ‘get out of jail free card,’” he said. “It will, however, turn out inmates who are substantially less likely to commit new crimes upon release from prison.”
Harvey also told the committee he is appreciative of the partnership with KCTCS President Ryan Quarles on the project.
Quarles said KCTCS’s partnership with the Department of Corrections is not new. The college system already has 550 inmates enrolled, and recently celebrated more than 3,000 inmates receiving their GED.
More than 300 employers in Kentucky will hire convicted felons, Quarles said. This means inmates should have an opportunity to find employment upon release from prison and completion of this uniquely immersive and intensive educational program, he said.
Committee Chair Rep. Daniel Elliott (R-Danville) said the inmates could study manufacturing technology, welding, carpentry, HVAC, diesel mechanic technology, electricity, computerized machining, heavy equipment operations, and more.
“These are all very marketable professions that these folks will be able to go into,” Elliott said, noting the program would be in his district.
Data collection is another provision of HB 5. Rep. Nima Kulkarni (D-Louisville) asked if there was a way to add tracking of the successful employment of inmates after they’ve been released that provision.
“I think it’s really important for us to track the success of these programs,” she said.
Quarles said KCTCS would encourage that in order to show the return of investment on the project.
“Employment trends change or there might be an employment opportunity that wasn’t there in the first wave when we get started hopefully fall of next year,” he added.
Harvey said most parolees are under supervised release, so there could be a way to track employment there.
Kulkarni asked Decker if she would be open to a floor amendment. Decker said she’d discuss it.
“That sounds like a great idea,” she added.
The House Judiciary Committee approved HB 5 by a 19-1 vote. It will now go before the full House for consideration.
Prior to voting in favor of the legislation, Rep. Kimberly Poore Moser, R-Taylor Mill, encouraged the committee to support HB 5.
“I love this bill,” she said. “This is a great initiative, and it is something that is near and dear to my heart.”
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“Capitol Update” is a non-partisan publication of the Legislative Research Commission
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