SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6244
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Human Services & Corrections, February 01, 2008
Title: An act relating to the conversion of existing facilities to house offenders violating community supervision.
Brief Description: Addressing the conversion of existing facilities to house offenders violating community supervision.
Sponsors: Senator Carrell.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 1/22/08, 2/01/08 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6244 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Marr and McAuliffe.
Staff: Shani Bauer (786-7468)
Background: An offender who violates the conditions of his or her community custody may be
returned to prison to serve up to the remainder of his or her sentence (if the maximum term of
confinement has not already been served), sanctioned up to 60 days in a local correctional facility
for each violation, or sanctioned to an alternative such as work release, home detention,
community restitution, treatment, etc.
DOC contracts with local correctional facilities to provide jail space for sanctioned offenders.
Local correctional facilities do not always have adequate space to house sanctioned offenders.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): Department of Corrections (DOC) must analyze
the needed capacity throughout the state to appropriately confine offenders who violate
community supervision and formulate recommendations for future capacity. DOC must consider
the need to decrease reliance on local jails and the costs and benefits of developing a violator
treatment center.
If DOC recommends locating or co-locating new violator facilities, DOC must work within local
land use planning processes. DOC must report its results to the Governor and the Legislature by
November 15, 2008.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): Removes restrictive language referencing the conversion of existing facilities, requiring a pre-design analysis, and specification for size of violator treatment facility. Requires DOC to work within local land use planning processes if DOC recommends locating or co-locating new violator facilities.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 15, 2008.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: The counties have limited
resources and are therefore in favor of the state looking at other options to house violators. The
counties would like language to be added that directs DOC to take local land use processes into
account when considering where to site other facilities.
OTHER: DOC is also very concerned about the ability to house violators in the future and are
committed to looking at this issue. DOC would like to have more flexibility in the bill as to the
end result of the analysis.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Rashi Gupta, Washington State Association of Counties.
OTHER: Eldon Vail, Department of Corrections.