SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1934

                     As of March 24, 1997

Title:  An act relating to deductions from inmate funds.

Brief Description:  Specifying deductions from inmate funds.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Koster, Ballasiotes, Hickel, Robertson, Mitchell, Dickerson, Cairnes, Regala, Delvin, Dunn and Blalock).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  3/26/97.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Staff:  Andrea McNamara (786-7483)

Background:   As a result of legislation passed in 1995, the Department of Corrections (DOC) began deducting 35 percent of funds received by inmates from sources outside the institution, effective May 20, 1996. 

The deductions include 20 percent for costs of incarceration; 10 percent for mandatory savings to be distributed to offenders upon release; and 5 percent for crime victims= compensation.

Summary of Bill:  The mandatory deductions taken from the first $100 per month received by an inmate from outside sources is reduced from 35 percent to 15 percent.  The 20 percent cost of incarceration deduction is eliminated.

When an inmate receives outside funds in excess of $100 per month, then the additional funds are subject to the full 35 percent deduction:  5 percent for crime victims= compensation, 10 percent for mandatory inmate savings, and 20 percent for costs of incarceration.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.  New fiscal note requested on March 20, 1997.

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