H-0640.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1054
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State of Washington 54th Legislature 1995 Regular Session
By Representatives Padden, Goldsmith, Delvin, Schoesler, Chappell, Robertson, Fuhrman, Campbell and Sheldon
Prefiled 1/6/95. Read first time 01/09/95. Referred to Committee on Corrections.
AN ACT Relating to corrections cost reductions by restriction of adult offender privileges; adding new sections to chapter 72.09 RCW; and creating new sections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. FINDINGS AND INTENT. (1) The legislature finds that due to the upwardly spiraling cost of housing, maintaining, and supervising inmates in our state corrections facilities, the department of corrections must identify cost-cutting strategies that target waste and inefficiencies while maintaining clear and effective punishment and rehabilitation goals.
The legislature further finds that the programs, amenities, and activities available to inmates in our state correctional institutions should reflect the strong moral values and ideals that contribute to the betterment of society and promote good citizenship.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. EXTENDED FAMILY VISITATION. The department shall eliminate all extended family visitation facilities in existing facilities and shall not include extended family visitation facilities or accommodations in any department facilities planned for construction.
The department shall establish a family visitation site in each facility that can accommodate monitored nonovernight family visitation.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. OBSCENE, EROTIC, AND VIOLENT MATERIAL. All obscene, erotic, or excessively violent films, video tapes, magazines, books, and any other printed materials, or materials deemed obscene, erotic, or excessively violent shall be prohibited from all correctional facilities and shall be considered contraband and must be removed from the inmates' mail, possession, and cells. In addition, any obscene, erotic, or excessively violent materials shall be removed from the libraries, meeting rooms, and all other areas of the state correctional facilities where inmates may have access to these materials. The only exception for allowing these materials for inmates shall be for the use in treatment or therapy sessions as prescribed by a physician or certified therapist.
For the purposes of this section, "obscene, erotic, or excessively violent materials" is defined as: Printed material, photographs, pictures, motion pictures, sound recordings, and any other materials relating to the description or representation of sexual matters, sado-masochistic abuse, or excessive violence.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. CABLE AND CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION. All cable or closed-circuit television shall be prohibited in state correctional facilities unless used expressly for the purpose of education and approved by the superintendent of public instruction. No new correctional facilities or expanded portions of existing state or local facilities shall be constructed with cable or closed-circuit readiness.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. ALLOCATION OF SAVINGS. All funds saved through the cost-cutting measures contained in sections 2 through 4 of this act shall be maintained in a department account and used by the legislature for any combination of the following funding categories: Crime victims' compensation and treatment, prison industries expansion, child-at-risk programs, drugs and alcohol rehabilitation, other state or local criminal justice funding, or a savings account for future criminal justice needs. Placing these savings into the general fund or other funding areas shall be prohibited.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. CODIFICATION. Sections 2 through 5 of this act are each added to chapter 72.09 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. CAPTIONS. Captions as used in this act shall not constitute any part of the law.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.
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