Kentucky House passes bill to address recidivism through increased skill trade education programs

The Kentucky General Assembly continues to work through their 2026 session. This past week, a bill passed out of the House addressing skilled trade education for inmates in the state prison system in an attempt to reduce recidivism. Meade County State Representative Nancy Tate issued the following statement in regard to House Bill 5:

"Inmates serving time in a Kentucky state prison could spend their days in an intensive, focused program learning a skilled trade, earning certifications, and gaining practical experience that positions them for employment upon release – all while surrounded by people who share the same goal. This approach can strengthen our workforce, deliver long-term savings to society through reduced re-incarceration costs, and above all else, it can change lives.

House Bill 5, passed by the House on a unanimous vote on March 4, would establish a one-of-its-kind prison education program and Kentucky’s first dedicated Kentucky Community College and Technical College System (KCTCS) Prison Education Program campus at Northpoint Training Center. Under the terms of the proposal, the facility would serve up to 400 eligible inmates nearing sentence completion, offering rigorous classroom instruction, hands-on training, pre-release employer connections, and certificates of employability within a secure, structured environment aligned with daily prison routines.

Inmates would receive training in high-demand fields, including advanced manufacturing, skilled trades such as welding and computerized machining, aviation mechanics, heavy equipment operations, diesel technology, electric lineman/fiber optics, additive manufacturing, and emerging technologies. KCTCS has already identified more than 300 employers statewide willing to hire individuals with felony convictions, giving participants a clear pathway to meaningful employment upon release.

The bill builds on the successful KCTCS–Department of Corrections partnership, which already delivers GED preparation, technical training, and reentry support across 14 state prisons and several jails. By accelerating these efforts, HB 5 aims to reduce recidivism. Kentucky’s recidivism rate (re-incarceration within 24 months) was 30.81% in early 2025 and has since declined slightly to 30.32% as of February 2026.

A key feature of the program is cohort learning: inmates live, study, and train together in units designed to support structure, personal growth, and skill development. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” That principle is particularly meaningful for individuals working to rebuild their lives while surrounded by peers pursuing the same goals.

Programs like HB 5 are designed to strengthen public safety while equipping inmates with the tools to succeed upon reentry. Sentences remain unchanged, eligibility is strict, and accountability is absolute. At the same time, the program provides a structured pathway to employment, addresses workforce shortages in high-demand industries, and reduces taxpayer costs associated with re-incarceration. HB 5 demonstrates that smart, evidence-based policy can deliver second chances, stronger communities, and meaningful change for individuals and the Commonwealth.

HB 5 is not soft on crime: Sentences remain unchanged, eligibility is strict, and accountability is absolute. Ninety-five percent of Kentucky’s incarcerated population will eventually return to their communities, and HB 5 will help their re-entry be a success.  It is smart policy aimed at cutting recidivism, strengthening families, filling high-demand trade shortages, and saving taxpayer dollars on re-incarceration.

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at Nancy.Tate@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov."