SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1130

   AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, MARCH 23, 1993

Brief Description:  Modifying furlough notification requirements.

SPONSORS: Representatives Ludwig, Riley, Ballasiotes, Basich, Brough and Orr; by request of Washington State Patrol

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONS

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators A. Smith, Chairman; Quigley, Vice Chairman; Hargrove, Niemi, and Spanel.

Staff:  Tom McBride (786‑7448)

Hearing Dates: March 22, 1993; March 23, 1993

BACKGROUND:

When the Secretary of the Department of Corrections authorizes a furlough for an inmate, the secretary notifies the Identification Section of the Washington State Patrol (WSP) that the named prisoner has been granted a furlough.  Notice shall occur 48 hours before the furlough begins.  Upon receipt of the notice, the State Patrol's Identification Section notifies:  the sheriff or the director of public safety of the county to which the prisoner is being furloughed, the nearest detachment of the Washington State Patrol in that county, and such other criminal justice agencies that the Identification Section determines should be notified.  Notice includes where the furloughed prisoner shall be residing, the place of residence, and the dates and times the individual will be on furlough.  In the case of an emergency furlough, the 48 hour time period is not required; however, notification occurs as promptly as possible before the prisoner is released on furlough.

Whenever a prisoner confined to the Department of Corrections is released on an order from the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board, or is discharged from custody on expiration of sentence, the Department of Corrections promptly notifies the Identification Section that the named person has been released or discharged and under what conditions.

Current statute refers only to his release or discharge from prison.

SUMMARY:

The Secretary of the Department of Corrections upon granting a furlough directly notifies the sheriff, or the director of public safety of the county to which the prisoner is being furloughed, the nearest Washington Sate Patrol district facility in that county, and other similar criminal justice agencies that the named prisoner has been granted a furlough.  Notice includes the place of residence and the dates and times the individual will be on furlough.  The sheriff or director of public safety, the nearest WSP district facility in the county, and other criminal justice agencies are directly notified when an emergency furlough is granted. 

Whenever a prisoner confined to the Department of Corrections is released on an order from the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board, or is discharged from custody on expiration of sentence, the Department of Corrections promptly and directly notifies the sheriff or the director of public safety, the nearest WSP district facility in that county, and other similar criminal justice agencies that the named person has been released or discharged and under what conditions.

The reference to gender of the individual being released or discharged is broadened to include both his and her release or discharge.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Bill will contain statute to current practice, whereas, the Department of Corrections directly notifies local law enforcement of furloughed or released inmates.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Tim Erickson, WA State Patrol (pro)