Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON JOINT JUDICIARY

Date:01/24/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:09:47 AM to 10:44 AM
Bacon
E
Boyd
X
Place:HCR 0112
Carroll M.
X
Clapp
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Decker
X
Representative Carroll T.
Dyer
X
Gardner
X
This Report was prepared by
Gordon
X
Jessika Shipley
Hefley
X
Jahn
X
Judd
X
McGihon
X
Mitchell
*
Shaffer
*
Traylor
*
Witwer
X
Carroll T.
X
Grossman
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Department of Corrections Briefing-


09:48 AM

L.D. Hay, Director of Administration for the Colorado Department of Corrections, came to the table to begin the briefing. He referred to the briefing document, entitled "Joint Judiciary Committee Presentation" (Attachment A). Gary Golder, Acting Director of Prisons for the Colorado Department of Corrections, discussed the bed planning issue, per the specific request of the committee chairmen. Changes in legislation impact the prison system approximately 3-5 years after passage. A weak economy tends to correlate with higher crime rates. By Fall 2006, all available beds in Colorado will be occupied. Mr. Golder directed the committee's attention to various charts in the briefing document, which illustrate the department's expansion plans. He pointed out that the female population is growing and any expansion plans must take that into account. He also stressed that simply raising the number of beds does not solve the problem of overpopulation, as inmates are classified into several different categories (minimum, minimum-restricted, medium, close, and administrative segregation custody levels, for instance). Private prisons do not take any inmates classified over medium custody or special needs inmates (those with serious medical problems, or with one or more mental health diagnoses). He concluded that bed shortages do not pose a new problem. Bed shortages have happened in the past and solutions have been found. Representative M. Carroll asked what crimes are driving the prison population and what programs might be considered to deal with keeping special needs inmates out of general facilities. She also wanted to know if the trend toward privatization of prisons is the best and safest way to use taxpayer dollars. Mr. Hay began by stating that the average cost for adding a prison bed is $83,000, with high custody costing significantly more. He spoke about trends in crime, specifically female methamphetamine users.




10:05 AM

Mr. Golder discussed the difference in cost between state beds and those in private prisons. In terms of state bed planning, the Department of Corrections looked to stay even with inmate growth over the next five years. Senator Gordon asked what the recidivism rate is in Colorado prisons. Mr. Hay directed the committee to page 19 of the briefing document for several statistics on recidivism. The committee discussed recidivism extensively, including comparisons with other states and goals for lowering recidivism rates. Senator Gordon asked the department to set a specific numeric goal for lowering recidivism rates. Mr. Hay replied that he would be willing to do that. The discussion continued with regards to recidivism. The panel responded to questions regarding the status in the Department of Corrections with regards to sex offender management. Barry Pardus, Director of Clinical Services for the Colorado Department of Corrections, came to the table to discuss management of identified sex offenders within the department. Jeaneene Miller, Director of Adult Parole and Community Corrections for the Colorado Department of Corrections, discussed paroled sexually violent predators and how her division deals with community notification, supervision of offenders, and management of treatment.


10:17 AM

Senator Grossman asked how many sexually violent predators are in the system. Mr. Pardus replied that there are 66 in the system, with 59 currently incarcerated, three on parole, and four who have been discharged. Senator Grossman stated that the department seems to be managing sexually violent predators in a successful way and asked if either of the representatives could identify what, specifically, is working. He stated that he is concerned that the General Assembly is considering legislation this session that will affect management of sexually violent predators and he wants to make sure that the legislation doesn't unnecessarily complicate the process. Representative T. Carroll asked if there is a common computer system between DOC and Judicial that is used to track sex offenders throughout their duration in the justice system. Ms. Miller replied that there are a number of common systems that allow the department to track sex offenders. The committee discussed sex offender management further, asking specific questions about tracking of offenders.


10:28 AM

Representative Gardner asked about the expansion of the Kit Carson County Correctional Facility. Mr. Hay replied that he does not know the status of that expansion. The committee discussed African-American representation in the management staff of the Department of Corrections. The committee then discussed issues around the increase in incarceration rates and the panel suggested that better detection, better prosecution, more stringent sentencing, and growing population in general contribute to higher incarceration rates. There was a question regarding the cost to build a private prison bed, compared with public beds. Mr. Hay replied that private prisons do not share their construction costs with the department. Committee members discussed private prisons and their relative advantages and disadvantages.


10:44 AM

Representative T. Carroll thanked the panel for coming and the committee adjourned.