Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City, on Monday, won unanimous House passage of a bill designed to help prisoners develop work skills for employment options upon their release from prison.

House Bill 3158 would help cosmetology and barber schools in prisons continue to educate and train students by modifying the current school application requirements. Roberts pointed out that the requirements for prison schools are not practical, as they are not tailored to the realities of having a school within a prison. For instance, these schools cannot obtain property leases that schools outside of prisons can.

"In recent years, Oklahoma lawmakers have worked to reduce hurdles to employment for people with a criminal record through reforms such as occupational licensing reform and expungement automation under certain circumstances," Roberts said. "When an individual can find employment after serving their time, it significantly reduces the chances they will return to crime and incarceration."

Under the measure, correctional facility schools are exempt from submitting a financial statement as they provide education free of charge and do not collect any funds. These schools will also obtain a memorandum of understanding from the Department of Corrections.

Currently, RISE Cosmetology School has programming in the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center.

"My wife, Leigh, and I have had the privilege of witnessing the transformative impact of the RISE program on the lives of former prisoners who received training in cosmetology," Roberts said. "Through expanding employment and educational opportunities, we can help our recently incarcerated neighbors rebuild their lives after prison."

HB3158 is supported by Prison Fellowship, which works to restore lives and families impacted by incarceration.

It is now available for consideration in the Senate, where Sen. Rader, R-Tulsa, carries it.