SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5286

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 1991

Brief Description:  Establishing a boot camp program for adult offenders.

SPONSORS:Senators Madsen, Hansen, Bauer, Rasmussen, Oke, Amondson, Metcalf and A. Smith.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Staff:  Ben Barnes (786‑7465)

Hearing Dates:February 6, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Adult offender boot camp programs are used in some states to relieve jail overcrowding and to provide an alternative to jail for first time offenders.  Such boot camps are modeled after United States military boot camps and consist of basic training and rehabilitation programs.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Corrections is required to establish and operate a boot camp  program for adult offenders.  The program lasts 90 days but may be extended to 120 days for an uncooperative offender.

The department is required to adopt rules for the operation and successful completion of the program and the continued supervision of offenders who complete the program.

A sentencing judge may sentence an offender to a boot camp if the person:  (1) has not previously served a sentence in a state or federal correctional institution; (2) is at least 18 years old; (3) does not suffer from any physical or mental impairment which could endanger his or her health or affect his or her performance in the boot camp; (4) is not a sex offender; and (5) has not been convicted of a criminal offense involving the death of a person.

Acceptance into the program is contingent upon the approval of the department.  At the time of sentencing, the court is required to impose an alternative sentence in the event that the department does not accept the offender into the program.

The department is required to keep records and monitor the criminal activity and employment placement of offenders who complete the boot camp program to compare with offenders completing other sentencing programs.  An outcome evaluation study based on such comparison must be prepared by the department and published no later than December 31, 1994.

If a program participant becomes unmanageable or medically ineligible, he or she will be transferred to a jail or prison to serve the remainder of his or her sentence.

The department is required to develop a separate program within existing reception and classification centers to diagnose the eligibility of offenders recommended by the courts for the boot camp program. 

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 28, 1991