SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   ESHB 1686

           AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, APRIL 5, 1991

Brief Description:  Creating an incentive program for inmates.

SPONSORS:House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Hargrove, Riley, Tate, Prentice, Padden, H. Myers, Kremen, Dorn, Morris, Jacobsen, Roland, Pruitt, Valle, Betrozoff, Brekke, Paris, Scott, Inslee, Basich, Sheldon and Wineberry).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL FACILITIES & FINANCING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Nelson, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; Erwin, Hayner, L. Kreidler, Madsen, Newhouse, Rasmussen, and A. Smith. 

Staff:  Ben Barnes (786‑7465)

Hearing Dates:April 3, 1991; April 5, 1991

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Corrections provides inmate work programs through the Division of Correctional Industries.  The Division of Correctional Industries develops and implements programs that offer inmates employment, work experience and training and reduces cost of administering and housing inmates.  To achieve these goals, Correctional Industries operates five classes of work programs.  These programs are referred to as Class I through Class V programs.

All inmates working in Class I through IV employment, receive financial compensation for their work that ranges from $30 per month for Class IV work, to the prevailing wage for offenders employed in Class I jobs.  Offenders working in Class V correctional jobs receive no financial compensation.  Class V jobs consist of court-ordered work that is performed for the benefit of the community without financial compensation.

Correctional Industries job programs do not allow offenders to use their wages to pay for cells containing enhanced modular amenities, or other amenities provided as behavioral or production incentives.  In addition, the department's proposed prison capital construction plans do not include the construction of prison cells that can accommodate an incentive program.

It is recommended that the Department of Corrections develop a site-specific implementation plan for prison industries space that includes an incentive program for inmates.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Corrections is required to develop an implementation plan for prison industry space at Clallam Bay Corrections Center, McNeil Island Corrections Center, and the proposed 1024-bed medium security prison.  The implementation plan must include sufficient space and design elements for meaningful and productive employment opportunities in Class I, Class II, and Class IV programs. 

The plan must also include an incentive program for inmates working in Class I and II jobs.  Inmates working in the program will be able to earn higher wages based on performance and production.  The department must develop rules for recovering funds from inmate wages in order to pay for the cost of prison operations.  Special program criteria for inmates with mental or physical handicaps must also be considered in the incentives program.

The plan must identify any legal or operational obstacles to implementing the design and incentive components of the plan and suggest possible strategies for overcoming such obstacles.  The plan must be submitted to the appropriate fiscal committees of the Legislature and to the Governor by October 1, 1991.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested April 2, 1991

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Specific approximations are provided for inmate participation in the Class I and Class II employment programs.  Funds recovered from the sale, lease, or rental of incentives may be used to offset the capital costs of additional space due to increased Class I and Class II employment programs.

TESTIMONY FOR:

Correctional programs that enhance the quality of life for inmates, provide educational opportunities, and reduce idleness in prison will benefit the overall prison environment and are productive for inmates.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Larry Kincheloe, Department of Corrections; Lynn McAuley, Department of Corrections