MoStuGov
Helping Missouri students get the most out of State Government


Ninth Graders to Jail???

JEFFERSON CITY - Ninth-grade students would have a glimpse into the life of an inmate living a state run correctional center if a proposed law passes in the state legislature.

Sen. Tim Green, D-St. Louis County, has sponsored a bill that would require all ninth-grade students in Missouri public schools to visit a state run correctional facility before entering the tenth grade.

"Students would be able to see first hand what it is like to go to prison, what it is actually like to lose their personal freedom and so maybe they will think twice about doing something wrong kill, " said Green. Green said he chose ninth-graders because they are at the point in their life were they are easily influenced.

Any teacher, principal, or school superintendent who fails to comply with the law could be fired, according to the proposed law.  

Green said the state spends too much money on maintaining correctional centers.  "I want more tax dollars going for education and less for incarceration."

Green said he is flexible with the wording of the bill, and said parents would have the option of not letting their children go on the field trip.

If passed, the law would not go into effect until the 2009-2010 school year.

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