CHENANGO COUNTY – Assemblyman Clifford Crouch (R - Bainbridge) is blasting the governor’s plan to fund college courses for prisoners across the state.

In a statement Tuesday, the assemblyman uttered opposition to the plan that would give $7.3 million in grants to colleges and universities that offer accredited courses to inmates.

Advocates say that while the program costs money upfront, it will save taxpayer dollars in the long-run by increasing prisoners’ chances of successful re-entry into the community and reducing recidivism.

But Crouch – a voice for Chenango County in the NYS Assembly – argues the program is an unfortunate use of money that would be better spent elsewhere.

More so, it’s an affront to many families, he said.

“So many middle-class families struggle to make ends met in this state, let alone send their children to college,” Crouch said in a statement. “We should be focused on assisting them.”

He also noted that while the state-funded Excelsior Scholarship helps with the cost of tuition, students still bear the expense of books, food, and rooms.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his plan to invest in the College-in-Prison Re-entry Program on Monday. Under the new plan, 17 prisons statewide will bolster educational programming.

The program is funded through the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Justice Investment Initiative. The measure was launched through a partnership in order to utilize criminal asset forfeitures seized by the Manhattan DA’s Office to help fund higher education inside prisons.

The program gives inmate a shot at earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree through seven accredited colleges, including Cornell University and NYU.

To qualify, incarcerated persons must have no more than five years left on their prison sentence.

Cuomo has called the program “an opportunity to help those who have made mistakes rehabilitate and rebuild their lives.” He also cited a 2013 study by the Rand Corporation which finds individuals who participate in prison education programs are 43 percent less likely to recidivate and return to prison, and 13 percent more likely to obtain employment after their release.

“It has never been more evident that a college education is an important stepping stone to success,” Cuomo said, “and by partnering with District Attorney (Cyrus) Vance, that success will reach those who never thought they could achieve it.”

That’s all good, according to Crouch; nevertheless, he’s urging for more consideration of “good kids who have never been in trouble or committed any crimes against society.”

“Why should criminals so easily get the opportunity to take classes over them?” he said. “I just don’t see the logic, rob a convenience store and get a free college education.”

Crouch is also calling for use of the $7 million of settlement monies, which are one-time revenues, to be used on capital or infrastructure projects. He also said the College-in-Prison Reentry Program ought to be a budget item voted on by the legislature.