SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5686

                    As of January 15, 1996

Title:  An act relating to early release and specialized training for criminal offenders.

Brief Description:  Requiring completion of early release programs.

Sponsors:  Senators Long, Hargrove, Franklin and Roach.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  2/23/95, 2/28/95 [DPS-WM]; 1/18/96.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Staff:  Andrea McNamara (786-7483)

Background:  The Department of Corrections may reduce an offender's sentence by crediting the offender with earned early release time.  An offender may be credited with earned early release time for good behavior and good performance.  The offender may lose earned early release time for inappropriate or poor conduct.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  An offender may receive earned early release time for participating in a training or educational program, only if the offender actually completes the program.  The department must coordinate educational programs between facilities to ensure that offenders may complete the programs.

The department must establish a policy requiring that an offender's refusal to work results in loss of earned early release credit.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill requires that an offender lose earned early release time for the commission of a serious infraction.  A serious infraction means, at a minimum, refusing or failing to work or attend regularly scheduled assignments, four or more general infractions for separate incidents that occur within a six-month period, and commission of an act likely to result in danger to life, limb, or welfare of a person. The substitute bill removes these provisions and requires the department to establish a policy that offenders lose earned early release credit for refusal to work.  

The original bill requires that an offender complete any program in order to be eligible to receive earned early release credits for the program.  The substitute requires completion of training or educational programs in order to receive credit, and the department is required to coordinate educational programs between facilities.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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