SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 6244
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed Senate, February 15, 2008
Title: An act relating to facilities to house offenders violating community custody.
Brief Description: Addressing the housing of offenders who violate community custody.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senator Carrell).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 1/22/08, 2/01/08 [DPS].
Passed Senate: 2/15/08, 49-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6244 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Marr and McAuliffe.
Staff: Shani Bauer (786-7468)
Background: An offender who violates the conditions of his or her community custody may be
returned to prison to serve up to the remainder of his or her sentence (if the maximum term of
confinement has not already been served), sanctioned up to 60 days in a local correctional facility
for each violation, or sanctioned to an alternative such as work release, home detention,
community restitution, treatment, etc.
DOC contracts with local correctional facilities to provide jail space for sanctioned offenders.
Local correctional facilities do not always have adequate space to house sanctioned offenders.
Summary of Substitute Bill: Department of Corrections (DOC) must analyze the needed
capacity throughout the state to appropriately confine offenders who violate community
supervision and formulate recommendations for future capacity. DOC must consider the need
to decrease reliance on local jails and the costs and benefits of developing a violator treatment
center.
If DOC recommends locating or co-locating new violator facilities, DOC must work within local
land use planning processes. DOC must report its results to the Governor and the Legislature by
November 15, 2008.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 15, 2008.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: The counties have limited
resources and are therefore in favor of the state looking at other options to house violators. The
counties would like language to be added that directs DOC to take local land use processes into
account when considering where to site other facilities.
OTHER: DOC is also very concerned about the ability to house violators in the future and are
committed to looking at this issue. DOC would like to have more flexibility in the bill as to the
end result of the analysis.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Rashi Gupta, Washington State Association of Counties.
OTHER: Eldon Vail, Department of Corrections.