SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5455

BYSenators Madsen, West, Talmadge, Smitherman, Gaspard, Bauer and McCaslin

Establishing a boot camp program for adult offenders.

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 1, 1989

Senate Staff:Kris Zabriskie (786-7439)

AS OF FEBRUARY 2, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Washington has been experiencing overcrowding in several county jails.  In addition, policy makers continue to search for treatment methods which would help prevent offenders from re-offending and encourage their productive membership in society.

Within recent years, a few states have developed programs designed wholly or partially after a military boot camp.  They generally range in time from 90 to 180 days and incorporate programs that are predominantly military discipline to programs that also include education, community service, counseling and vocational training.

SUMMARY:

A boot camp program is created for adult offenders who are 18 years of age and older.  The judge may sentence any offender who has not been convicted of a sex offense or an offense involving the death of another human being to this program as long as that offender does not suffer from a mental or physical handicap that would endanger his or her health or inhibit his or her adequate performance in the program.

The program is directed by the Department of Corrections and lasts 90 days, but may be extended to 120 days for an uncooperative offender.  At sentencing, the court may order a term of post release supervision.  The judge may order that this supervision time be served in jail or prison if the department declares the offender to be unmanageable.

The program is designed after a Marine Corps boot camp, but includes a requirement that the participant work towards obtaining his or her GED (graduate equivalency degree) if he or she has not obtained a high school diploma.

The department will develop a separate program within existing classification centers to diagnose the eligibility of offenders. It will adopt rules for the operation and to determine what constitutes successful completion of the program.  The department will keep records and monitor criminal activity and employment placement of the participants to compare with other offenders and publish a report by December 31, 1992.

Appropriation:    unspecified

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 25, 1989