SB 5915 - DIGEST

Declares an intent to: (1) Focus resources on sex offenders and violent offenders who pose the greatest risk to our communities, by reducing offender populations when such populations exceed the maximum operational capacity of facilities operated by the department of corrections; and

(2) Accomplish the reduction by releasing to community supervision solely low-risk offenders who have been convicted of certain nonviolent offenses and who are closest to the end of their sentences.

Directs the caseload forecast council, in consultation with the department of corrections, the sentencing guidelines commission, and the indeterminate sentence review board, to, by rule, establish a methodology for determining the maximum statewide operating capacity for correctional facilities operated by the department of corrections. The methodology must take into account methods for increasing facility capacity without making improvements or additions to infrastructure.

Requires the council to complete the methodology and report it to the legislature no later than December 1, 2005.