Brief Description: Creating a web site for information on fugitives.

Sponsors: Representatives Simpson, G., Newhouse, Anderson, Chase and Miloscia.

Hearing Date: 1/28/04

Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).

Background:

A community custody violator is generally defined as a fugitive or escapee on community custody status when he or she continues to making his or her self unavailable to the DOC for supervision. Offenders of this type willfully make their whereabouts unknown or fail to maintain contact with the DOC as directed by their community corrections officer. A community custody violator is guilty of a class C felony offense.

On November 4, 2003, for a six-month trial period, the King County Journal began publishing a weekly list of fugitives wanted by the DOC. The King County Journal, along with help from the DOC, publishes the names, photographs, and brief descriptions of six fugitives wanted by the state Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Team. The fugitives all are convicted felons who have escaped the Department's community supervision.

Besides the six-month pilot program with the King County Journal, the DOC does not post information on offenders on its web site nor does the department have a web site link to information or photographs about offender escapees.

Summary of Bill:

The DOC must post a list of all persons deemed escapees or fugitives from the department on it's available web site. The web site must include the name, photograph, and a brief description of all unapprehended fugitives who have escaped the department's community supervision by failing to maintain contact with the DOC as directed by their community corrections officer. In addition, a contact phone number must be posted on the web site for citizens with information leading to the whereabouts of such individuals.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.