SENATE BILL REPORT

2SSB 5111

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Pullen, Niemi, Thorsness, McCaslin and Johnson)

Modifying work release provisions.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 18, 1989; January 30, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5111 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Pullen, Chairman; McCaslin, Vice Chairman; Hayner, Madsen, Nelson, Newhouse, Rasmussen, Rinehart, Talmadge, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Jon Carlson (786-7459)

                  January 30, 1989

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 2, 1989; March 3, 1989

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5111 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Matson, Moore, Newhouse, Niemi, Owen, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Warnke, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Randy Hodgins (786-7438)

                  April 7, 1989

House Committe on Health Care

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 10, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The potential risk posed by work release centers to surrounding communities has generated interest in additional reforms to the work release system, particularly in view of recent incidents where inmates have escaped and committed violent offenses, including murder.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Corrections is required to establish, by rule, inmate eligibility standards for participation in the work release program.  The department must also conduct an examination of security and inmate supervision policies at each work release facility and establish physical standards for future work release structures.  In addition, the department is required to evaluate its recordkeeping of serious infractions and determine if infractions are properly and consistently assessed against inmates eligible for work release.

The department must report to the Legislature on a case management procedure to evaluate and determine those inmates on work release who need treatment.  The report is to consider a written treatment plan best suited to each inmate's needs, and the relationship of community placement and community corrections officers to a system of case management.

The department must encourage businesses employing work release inmates to contact the appropriate work release facility whenever an inmate is absent from work.  In addition, the department is required to develop a siting policy for future work release facilities, in conjunction with cities, counties, community groups, and the Department of Community Development.

The department is required to comply with these requirements by July 1, 1990.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: LAW & JUSTICE:  Casey Carmody, Friends of Diane Ballasiotes (pro)

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS: Senator Kent Pullen (pro); Eleanora Ballasoites (pro); Mike Redman, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (pro); Mike Doubleday, City of Seattle (pro); Joe Lehman, Department of Corrections; John King, Department of Corrections

HOUSE AMENDMENTS:

The Department of Corrections is required to conduct annual inspections of each work release facility, and establish standards for inmate supervision at each work release facility.  In addition, the department must establish a written plan of treatment for work release inmates.

The department must provide each employer with written information and instructions on who should be called if a work release employee is absent from work or leaves the job site without authorization.

The development of a siting policy for establishing additional work release facilities must include:  (1) guidelines for appropriate site selection of work release facilities; (2) notification requirements to local government and community groups of intent to site a work release facility; and (3) guidelines for effective community relations by the work release program operator.