(a) In addition to the education plan authorized by § 41-21-509, the commissioner of education, with the assistance of the commissioner of correction and a representative from the board of regents and the University of Tennessee system, shall by January 1, 1995, formulate a plan to increase the educational and vocational opportunities currently available to inmates in the custody of the department of correction. This plan shall emphasize basic educational skills such as reading and writing, but shall also include possible use of existing community colleges and vocational schools for inmates who are acceptable security risks and are in need of a marketable free-work skill that cannot be obtained within the confines of a correctional institution.

(b) Upon implementation of the plan, the commissioner of correction, with the assistance of the board of parole, shall monitor and document the effectiveness of the plan. Documentation shall include:

(1) The number of inmates who participate;

(2) The amount of improvement in educational or vocational skills achieved by the participating inmates;

(3) The percentage of participating inmates able to obtain employment upon their release from custody; and

(4) The recidivism rate of inmates who participated in the plan.

(c) The results of the monitoring of the plan, as well as any recommendations for improving the plan, shall, on an annual basis, be submitted to the state and local government and education committees of the senate, the education committee of the house of representatives, and the committee of the house of representatives having oversight over corrections for review.