SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 5987
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, March 10, 2009
Title: An act relating to department of corrections training.
Brief Description: Authorizing the Washington state department of corrections to develop training for corrections personnel.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Regala, Hargrove and Shin; by request of Department of Corrections).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 2/20/09, 2/23/09 [DPS].
Passed Senate: 3/10/09, 48-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5987 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Kauffman and McAuliffe.
Staff: Shani Bauer (786-7468)
Background: The Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) provides basic corrections training, law enforcement training, and educational programs for criminal justice personnel, including commissioned officers, corrections officers, fire marshals, and prosecuting attorneys.
"Basic corrections officer training" is required of all state and local government corrections personnel. The training consists of a 160-hour program covering a wide variety of subjects, including proper use of physical force; security management; interpersonal communication; supervision; discipline; inmate manipulation; inmate mental health problems; booking and intake; fingerprinting; constitutional and criminal law; gangs; hostage survival; critical incident survival; and report writing. All corrections personnel are required to complete the "core training" requirements within the first six months of employment unless waived by the CJTC.
Summary of Substitute Bill: The requirement to obtain basic corrections officer training through the CJTC does not apply to Department of Corrections (DOC) employees who work for the prisons division. DOC is responsible for identifying training standards, designing training programs, and providing training for those employees. The Secretary of DOC must consult with experts and corrections professionals and solicit input from labor organizations in designing its training requirements.
Training for community corrections officers will continue to be developed and delivered collaboratively between DOC and the CJTC.
All corrections employees with DOC must successfully complete core training requirements and all other requirements for career level certification within a time period specified by the Secretary. The Secretary is responsible for assuring that the training needs of its corrections employees are met and must conduct an annual review of the training program.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 17, 2009.
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: This is agency request legislation. Currently, the CJTC is charged with establishing training standards for all corrections staff in the state. Employees who staff long term prisoners do not necessarily have the same needs as those officers who work in the county jails. This bill is to make DOC more nimble in its efforts to provide appropriate training to its staff.
OTHER: There needs to be some delineation in the bill between those corrections officers who work in the prison system and those corrections officers who work in the community custody field. DOC should continue to collaborate with the CJTC for training of community corrections officers.
Persons Testifying: PRO: John S. Bonien, Kevin Bovenkamp, DOC.
OTHER: Ginger Richardson, Washington Federation of State Employees.