SR0791LRB097 21661 RLC 69998 r



1
SENATE RESOLUTION


 
2    WHEREAS, One of the purposes of the correctional system is 
3rehabilitation and to provide an inmate with skills to lead a 
4lawful and productive life after release from incarceration; 
5and

 
6    WHEREAS, The Vandalia Correctional Center has plenty of 
7land and fencing suitable for the care of horses; and

 
8    WHEREAS, The grooming of thoroughbred horses is a skill 
9that can be taught to inmates and can lead them to a productive 
10life after prison; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The program  to accomplish this purpose could be 
12established at no cost to the taxpayers since the Thoroughbred 
13Retirement Foundation and the Illinois Horsemen's Benevolent 
14and Protective Association will provide all that's needed to 
15care for the horses, including feed, hay, all equipment needed 
16for the horses, retired thoroughbred horses, farriers, and 
17veterinary care; and

 
18    WHEREAS, Similar programs have been established in 8 other 
19states and the recidivism rate of inmates participating in 
20those programs is low; and

 
 
 
SR0791- 2 -LRB097 21661 RLC 69998 r

1    WHEREAS, An inmate can be trained to care for 2 or 3 horses 
2for a 6 month period and receive a certificate that states that 
3he completed the program and is qualified  to work as a groomer 
4on a horse farm or race track; therefore, be it


 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL 
6ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Department 
7of Corrections to establish a thoroughbred horse groomer 
8training program at the Vandalia Correctional Center; and be it 
9further

 
10    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
11forwarded to the Director of Corrections.