Date: 04/15/2014

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB14-1355

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.005 (Attachment E). The motion p
Refer House Bill 14-1355, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
PASS



02:30 PM -- HB14-1355

The committee returned to order. Representatives Kagan and Gardner, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 14-1355, concerning Department of Corrections reentry initiatives for successful reintegration of adult offenders into the community. Representative Kagan provided background on the creation of the bill, and discussed its need. Representative Kagan also explained the effect of the bill, and discussed the intended outcomes of the legislation. Representative Gardner further noted that the intent of the bill is to increase public safety, and discussed the programming to be created or enhanced under House Bill 14-1355.


02:40 PM

Representative Gardner continued to discuss the programming impacts of House Bill 14-1355.


02:42 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Bill 14-1355:

02:42 PM -- Ms. Christie Donner, representing the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of the bill. Committee members received an article on evidence-based correctional practices (Attachment A), and a memorandum indicating trends in technical parole revocations (Attachment B). Ms. Donner discussed trends in technical parole revocations as outlined in Attachment B, and efforts to create a new model for offender reentry into the community. Ms. Donner discussed state budgeting for corrections-related activities, and the lack of offender reentry programming. Ms. Donner discussed the evidence-based practices noted in Attachment A, and the potential for community-based services to help reduce recidivism. Ms. Donner noted some of these community-based programs. Ms. Donner responded to questions regarding assurances that the Department of Corrections will work with community-based organizations to further the bill's goals.

14HseJud0415AttachA.pdf14HseJud0415AttachA.pdf 14HseJud0415AttachB.pdf14HseJud0415AttachB.pdf

02:52 PM

Discussion ensued regarding the nexus of poverty and crime. Ms. Donner responded to questions regarding how community-based organizations will further the goals of the bill, and the work that these organizations perform. Discussion followed regarding the scope of the grant program created by the bill, and the interaction between Department of Corrections employees and community-based organizations under the bill. Ms. Donner responded to questions regarding the rigors and expectations placed upon the offenders by the bill.


03:06 PM

Discussion ensued regarding differing expectations of offenders during incarceration and upon release into society, and the impact of fulfilling the minimum needs of parolees on recidivism and public safety. Discussion followed regarding public spending on corrections, and the potential for reducing both the prison population and spending.

03:15 PM -- Mr. Hassan Latif, representing the Second Chance Center, testified in support of House Bill 14-1355. Committee members received a packet of information outlining the work of the center (Attachment C). Mr. Latif discussed the relationship between the Department of Corrections and his organization, and the work performed by his organization to help reintegrate offenders into society. Mr. Latif cited the data shown in Attachment C, and noted some challenges faced by his organization in providing services to the parolee population. Mr. Latif discussed the experiences of his staff with the correctional environment, and the lessons imparted to those served by the Second Chance Center.

14HseJud0415AttachC.pdf14HseJud0415AttachC.pdf

03:26 PM

Mr. Latif discussed his experiences in touring the Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility, and challenges faced by parolees. He urged the passage of the bill to assist his organization in better serving the parolee population. Mr. Latif responded to questions regarding how the cycle of recidivism is broken. Discussion ensued regarding the potential impact of enhancing support systems on the success of the parolee population in society.


03:36 PM

Mr. Latif responded to questions regarding the potential for the Second Chance Center to expand its services after passage of House Bill 14-1355.

03:40 PM -- Ms. Lisa Calderon, representing the Community Reentry Project, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Calderon discussed the efforts of her organization to secure resources for programs that assist parolees in reentering society, and the work undertaken by community organizations to help reduce recidivism. She discussed the population served by the Community Reentry Project, and the programming offered by the organization.

03:51 PM -- Ms. Patricia Harris, representing Advocates for Change, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Harris discussed the challenges faced by parolees into reintegrating in society, and explained that a change in attitude in the parole process could positively impact this reintegration. Ms. Harris related some anecdotes about parolees trying to reenter the community.

03:55 PM -- Ms. Carolyn Turner, representing Advocates for Change, testified in support of House Bill 14-1355. Committee members received a flyer cataloging barriers to reentry for parolees convicted of sex offenses (Attachment D). Ms. Turner discussed the difficulties parolees face in reintegrating into society, and suggested some changes to the parole process that may help to reduce recidivism. Ms. Turner cited the information in Attachment D. Discussion ensued regarding a provision in the bill pertaining to transportation of parolees to the parole office.

14HseJud0415AttachD.pdf14HseJud0415AttachD.pdf

04:01 PM -- Ms. Kellie Wasko, representing the Department of Corrections, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Wasko discussed the relationship between her department and community reentry centers, and highlighted the effect of some of the bill's provisions. Ms. Wasko discussed the need to improve some aspects of the state's parole process, and costs associated with reentry programming. Ms. Wasko discussed societal perceptions of the treatment of offenders in the corrections system, and the benefits of creating a system that allows for offenders to make choices about their lives. Discussion ensued regarding access to valid identification by parolees, and the ability of the Department of Corrections to positively identify an individual in its custody.


04:11 PM

Ms. Wasko responded to questions regarding the potential for the Department of Corrections to report to the committee about the provision of identification to parolees. Ms. Wasko responded to questions regarding efforts to curb substance abuse on the part of parolees, and provided an update on the work of the department's Fugitive Apprehension Unit to track fugitives from the law. Ms. Wasko responded to further questions regarding resources that may be provided to this unit under House Bill 14-1355.


04:21 PM

Representative Kagan explained the effect of prepared amendment L.005 (Attachment E).

14HseJud0415AttachE.pdf14HseJud0415AttachE.pdf
BILL:HB14-1355
TIME: 04:22:07 PM
MOVED:Kagan
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.005 (Attachment E). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Gardner
VOTE
Buckner
Court
Gardner
Lawrence
McLachlan
Murray
Pettersen
Salazar
Waller
Lee
Kagan
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:HB14-1355
TIME: 04:23:32 PM
MOVED:Gardner
MOTION:Refer House Bill 14-1355, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 10-1.
SECONDED:Court
VOTE
Buckner
Yes
Court
Yes
Gardner
Yes
Lawrence
No
McLachlan
Yes
Murray
Yes
Pettersen
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Waller
Yes
Lee
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



04:34 PM

The committee adjourned.