SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5658

                    As of February 3, 1995

Title:  An act relating to sentences served by felons in jails.

Brief Description:  Speeding up transfer of felons from jail to prison.

Sponsors:  Senators Palmer, Swecker, Deccio, Sellar, Snyder, Hale, Haugen, Johnson, Sutherland, Wood, Schow and Bauer.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  2/14/95.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Staff:  Andrea McNamara (786-7483)

Background:  Currently, a felony offender who is sentenced to a term of confinement of one year or less may be committed to either a state institution or a city or county jail.  Felons committed to state institutions must be transferred from jails within 40 days after sentencing.

Cities and counties are financially responsible for felons committed to local jails.

The average daily population of post-trial felons incarcerated in jails exceeds 1,100 offenders.  Approximately 15 county jails are operating above rated capacity.  Statewide, the average daily population in county jails is more than 109 percent of rated capacity.

The average daily cost per bed to house offenders in jails has increased from $35 in 1990 to approximately $48 in 1994. 

Summary of Bill:  A felony offender who is sentenced to a term of more than six months must be committed to a state correctional institution.  Felons sentenced to six months or less may be sentenced to jail.  Felons sentenced to jails are the financial responsibility of the city or county.  Cities and counties may contract with the department to house in jails felons sentenced to state institutions.

Felony offenders imprisoned in jails prior to sentencing must be transferred to state institutions within four weeks if they are sentenced to serve their terms of confinement at a state institution.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 1, 1995.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.