HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

HB 3122

Title:An act relating to work ethic camp programs.

Brief Description:Regarding work ethic camp programs.

Sponsors:Representative Ballasiotes.

House committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections

Hearing Date:February 20, 1998. 

Prepared By:Yvonne Walker, Research Analyst (786‑7841). 

Background:The Work Ethic Camp was created in 1993 as a pilot alternative incarceration program and has a sunset date of July 1, 1998.  

The Work Ethic Camp is a 24-hour, total confinement facility where the offender=s day begins at 4:40 am and ends at 10:00 pm.  The camp converts a typical prison environment into an employment-based program that requires offenders to quickly learn and adapt their behavior to meet the expectations of employers and society.  The entire program is an intensive work and classroom experience that stresses developing work ethic behaviors that will enable the offender to transition immediately, and successfully, to community employment and a crime free lifestyle upon transition from the confinement portion of the program through community follow-up.  

The Department of Corrections and the Office of Financial Management were directed to monitor and analyze the effectiveness of the Work Ethic Camp program and, by January 15, 1998, complete an outcome evaluation study.  DOC also has responsibility for seeking the availability of federal funds for the planning, implementation, evaluation, and training of staff associated with the work ethic camp program. Summary:The statutory section that sets a sunset date of July 1, 1998, requires a study by Department of Corrections (DOC) and Office of Financial Management to be completed by January 15, 1998, and requires the DOC to seek federal funding for implementation is repealed.Rules Authority:No. 

Fiscal Note:Requested.

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