SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6595

BYSenators Newhouse, Benitz, Matson, Madsen, Bauer, Hansen, Saling, Anderson, Thorsness and Smith

Creating a boot camp program for offenders.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 25, 1990

Senate Staff:Anita Neal (786-7418)

AS OF JANUARY 23, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Adult offender boot camp programs are used in some states to relieve jail overcrowding and to provide an alternative to jail for first time offenders.  Such boot camps are modeled after United States military boot camps and consist of basic training and rehabilitation programs.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Corrections shall establish and operate a boot camp pilot program for adult offenders.  Three boot camps will be created:  one will serve Benton, Franklin, and Yakima Counties; one will serve Pierce county; and one will serve King and Snohomish Counties.  The department is required to adopt rules for the operation and successful completion of the program and the continued supervision of offenders who complete the program.

A sentencing judge in each of the participating counties may sentence an offender to a boot camp if there is space available in the camp and if the person:  (1) has not previously served a sentence in a state or federal correctional institution; (2) is at least 18 years old and does not suffer from any physical or mental impairment which could endanger his or her health or affect performance in the boot camp; (3) is not a sex offender; and (4) has not been convicted of a criminal offense involving the death of a person.  Acceptance into the program is contingent on the Secretary of the Department of Corrections' approval.  At the time of sentencing, the court shall impose an alternative sentence in the event that the secretary does not accept the offender into the program.

Each participant shall remain in the boot camp for 90 days during which time he or she will participate in an intensive basic training and rehabilitation program.  However, if the participant does not successfully complete the program in 90 days, the time may be extended to 120 days by the Secretary of the Department of Corrections.

The Department of Corrections shall monitor employment and any criminal activity of boot camp participants who have completed the program; an outcome evaluation study shall then be prepared by the department and published no later than December 31, 1993.

Appropriation:  unspecified

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    available

Effective Date:The bill takes effect July 1, 1990.