Date: 01/17/2006
Final
JBC Briefing - Department of Corrections
COMMITTEE ON JOINT JUDICIARY
| Votes: View--> | Action Taken: |
| <none> | <none> |
10:33 AM
Representative Plant began the briefing with an overview of the 2006-2007 budget requests, as well as the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) analysis of the issues facing various departments for which the committee has oversight responsibilities. He discussed the five-year plans that each department was asked to prepare and referred the committee to the memorandum entitled Information on Departmental Budget Requests, which was distributed to the committee (Attachment A). He began with the Department of Corrections. Senator Mitchell asked what the motivation is for creating five-year plans for the departments and if there is a model for their creation. Representative Plant responded that the JBC feels that a big picture with real measurable goals is a key component of a realistic budget. Senator Owen pointed out that the executive branch has a strategic plan and the items sent to the JBC are in accord with that strategic plans. Senator Tapia added that there were two different viewpoints at their initial meetings and the five-year plans were a compromise between the two. Representative Buescher stated that the JBC absolutely needs clearly-articulated, numerically-accurate goals in order to create a budget. Representative Gardner commented that he hopes private prisons are being included in any discussions of five-year plans because they are an excellent resource for the Department of Corrections. Representative Plant stated that private prisons are being included because they have the only unoccupied beds in the state at this point.
10:48 AM
Representative Plant further discussed the fact that the Department of Corrections accounts for a larger share of the state's operating budget than ever before and that percentage is expected to grow. The JBC is looking to the committees of reference to address the underlying policy issues that drive costs. Representative Judd asked if "policy" is the same thing as sentencing or mandatory parole. He asked that Representative Plant put it into terms with which the committee is familiar. Representative Plant answered that those things are included, as well as anything else that affects how the various departments for which the committees have oversight are run and interact with each other. He then directed the committee to a list of budget changes requested by the Department of Corrections and the overview of those decision items, pointing out that the list constitutes an increase of approximately $30 million. Senator Tapia commented that the increase in FTE is due, in part, to the increase in female inmates and an expansion at the Pueblo facility. Senator Owen added that private prisons are reluctant to accept female inmates and the JBC is studying that policy. Representative Plant concluded by stating that the Department of Corrections downsized during the economic recession and is now looking to return to a higher level of staffing.