FINAL BILL REPORT

2SSB 5111

                              C 89 L 89

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

Modifying work release provisions.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice and Committee on Ways & Means

House Committe on Health Care

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The potential risk posed by work release centers to surrounding communities has generated interest in additional reforms to the work release system.  There is a need to provide further safeguards to the community, 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 is required to conduct annual examinations of each work release facility, and establish standards for inmate supervision at each facility.  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 which inmates on work release need treatment.  The report must establish 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.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   46    0

     House 96  0 (House amended)

     Senate   46    0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989