Governor Signs Measure Expanding Prison Education Programs

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Gov. Jay Inslee has signed a bill that would expand education programs for inmates.

Senate Bill 5069 authorizes the state Department of Corrections to partner with community and technical colleges to provide associate degree programs. The measure signed Tuesday by Inslee would expand existing programs at the state's prisons that provide basic education and job training.

Priority for the programs would be given to inmates within five years of release. Those serving sentences of life without parole, or who are on death row, would be ineligible.