SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5793

                    AS OF FEBRUARY 23, 1993

Brief Description:  Modifying provisions for juvenile structured transition services.

SPONSORS: Senator Rinehart; by request of Department of Social and Health Services

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Staff:  Lidia Mori (786‑7755)

Hearing Dates: February 24, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Juvenile Rehabilitation's institutions have struggled with significant overcrowding during the current biennium due to increased lengths of stay, drug offenses, community protection concerns, slow start-up of Option B, and growth in community beds that has been unable to keep pace with growth in the number of youths committed to DJR.  DJR institutions operated over rated bed capacity throughout 1991 and 1992, with the population ranging as high as 125 percent capacity.  The capital facilities at Green Hill School and Naselle Youth Camp are both in need of replacement either at their existing sites or upon relocation. 

One of the foundations of the Department of Juvenile Rehabilitation's Comprehensive Program and Facility Plan is that the future growth in the DJR's population will be accommodated through expansion of the DJR's community programs.  It is believed that structured transition programs will allow committed youths to live in the community during the final phase of their commitment period under the supervision of the DJR regional staff.  This will result in reduced residential bed use and allow the phasing down and closure next biennium of Eagle Lodge at Naselle and Green Hill School which will save an estimated $5.1 million over the biennium.

SUMMARY:

A juvenile who is serving a term of confinement under the Department of Social and Health Services may be transferred to a structured transition program in the community after serving 72 percent of his or her minimum term of confinement.  In order to be transferred, the secretary must determine that the juvenile will benefit from structured transition in the community and the juvenile must be found to be eligible based on a youth classification instrument. 

The juvenile will be subject to a written structured transition contract and may be required to (a) reside at an address and be present at certain times; (b) submit to electronic monitoring, tracker services, or both; (c) participate in training, education, and employment programs; (d) receive treatment services; (e) report to a community case manager; (f) refrain from further offenses; and (g) meet any other requirements imposed by the community case manager. 

Notice will be given to the appropriate law enforcement agency prior to the transfer of a juvenile to structured transition status. 

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested