SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 1765

    AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, APRIL 5, 1993

Brief Description:  Creating a corrections mental health center operated through a partnership of the department of corrections and the University of Washington.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives L. Johnson, Morris, Long, Cooke, Dellwo, Mastin, Thibaudeau, Campbell, Riley, Johanson, Karahalios, Eide, J. Kohl, Springer and Leonard)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators A. Smith, Chairman; McCaslin, Nelson, Niemi, and Rinehart.

Staff:  Susan Carlson (786‑7418)

Hearing Dates: April 2, 1993

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chairman; Spanel, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hargrove, Hochstatter, Jesernig, McDonald, Moyer, Niemi, Owen, Pelz, Quigley, Snyder, Sutherland, Talmadge, West, Williams, and Wojahn.

Staff:  Cindi Holmstrom (786-7715)

Hearing Dates: April 5 1993

BACKGROUND:

The proportion of mentally ill offenders in prison has increased from 2 percent in 1985 to 15 percent in 1992.  Mentally ill offenders are subject to the same sentences under the Sentencing Reform Act as other offenders.

No comprehensive, centralized mental health offender program currently exists within the Department of Corrections.  Mental health services for incarcerated mentally ill offenders are dependent on the capacity of the medical and counseling staff, and the physical constraints of each facility.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Corrections and the University of Washington are required to develop a collaborative arrangement to establish a mental health center at McNeil Island Corrections Center.  The collaborative arrangement is to establish an advisory panel of key stakeholders drawn from a broad array of corrections, mental health, and criminal justice interest groups.  Together, the stakeholder advisory panel, the University of Washington, and the Department of Corrections are to develop a strategic plan for the center that will address numerous specified objectives.  These objectives include the development of new treatment approaches, facilitating mental health staff recruitment and training, and developing a continuum of mental health care from entry into prison through transition back into the community.

The University of Washington is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the clinical, treatment, research, and evaluation components of the center.  The department is responsible for the provision of support services such as housing and supervision of offenders.  Other state colleges, universities and mental health providers may be involved with the center on a subcontract basis.  The mentally ill offenders sent to the center are selected based on the offenders' needs, the availability of services, and other department considerations. 

The Department of Corrections is required to report annually to the Legislature on the center's progress towards the stated goals. 

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The intent section is deleted and the provisions of the bill are made permissive.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

TESTIMONY FOR:

The bill will facilitate development of a comprehensive treatment and management program for dealing with mentally ill offenders within the prison population.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Rep. Linda Johnson, prime sponsor; Ruben Cedeno, Dept. of Corrections; David Allen, University of Washington; Ted Wilson, Department of Corrections