Bill Summary for Bill Number Long Bill Presentation

Date: 03/29/2010

Final
Long Bill Presentation - Department of Corrections

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
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01:32 PM -- Long Bill Presentation - Department of Corrections

Representative Pommer presented the highlights of the section of the Long Bill concerning the Department of Corrections (DOC). There is a proposal to open the new Colorado State Penitentiary facility (CSP II) for $9.4 million. Another proposal suggests using a portion of the current Colorado State Penitentiary facility (CSP) as a mental health facility for inmates. The department is eliminating the Colorado Correctional Alternative Program in Buena Vista, also known as the Bootcamp Program. The program has not lived up to its goal of reducing recidivism. The inmates currently in the Bootcamp Program will be moved to private prisons. Finally, the department moved female inmates from the High Plains Correctional Facility in Brush to other prisons at a savings of $3 million.

Representative Kagan asked about the warranty on CSP II and whether the building needs to be opened in order to keep from voiding the contractors' warranties. Representative McCann asked for clarification about a number of the DOC budget requests. The committee discussed the Governor's accelerated transition program savings. Representative Court requested further information about the allocation of funds in the various divisions of the DOC. The committee discussed federal funds and General Fund dollars appropriated to the department. Representative Levy asked about the relationship between inmates in private prisons and opening CSP II. She asked if the general decline in the prison population is realized both in state and private prisons.

01:44 PM

Representative Kagan asked whether consideration has been given to the overall effect of cutting back on rehabilitation, treatment, and vocational programs that are designed to reduce recidivism. The committee discussed the effect of cutting back on such programs, both in the short term and in the long term. Representative McCann asked about the operating budget reduction of 5 percent, which is something the Governor asked all executive branch agencies to do for Fiscal Year 2010-11.