HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

HB 1066

Title:  An act relating to a study of county jails.

Brief Description:  Providing for a study of county jails.

Sponsors:  Representatives Ballasiotes and O'Brien.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONS

Staff:  Yvonne Walker (786-7841).

Background:

Over the years, the state=s ever changing laws and the increases in offender population under correctional control has exceeded the supply of facilities, programs, and staff and, as a result, has led to an imbalance in the correctional system=s supply and demand.

The 1997 Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs Jail Information Report indicates severe overcrowding in 22 of the 38 county jails in Washington.  In the same analysis, due to limited jail bed space, their report also shows overcrowding in six of the 19 city correctional facilities.

Summary:

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, in conjunction with the Department of Corrections, must conduct a study of Washington=s county jails.  The report must:

(1) Determine the capacity of each county jail and identify the most effective mechanism for tracking jail capacity and daily offender populations on a daily basis;

(2) Develop offender classification systems applicable to county inmates; and

(3) Create or adopt a risk assessment system for classifying county jail inmates that is compatible with the state's risk assessment system.

The study must be submitted to the Legislature by January 1, 2001.

.

The act is null and void if an appropriation is not included in the budget for this study.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 19, 1999.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.