BILL REQ. #:  S-4967.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/03/06.   

     AN ACT Relating to creating a joint select committee on offenders programs, sentencing, and supervision; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes that "good time" should be productive time, especially for those incarcerated in Washington's criminal justice facilities. The legislature finds that it is important to the safety of the public and to rehabilitation of offenders that changes be considered to other programs offered in prisons and in the community. The legislature further finds that reforms to sentencing and supervision of offenders returning to the community may enhance public safety, lower recidivism, and reduce crime and victimization. Therefore, the legislature intends to create a joint select committee on offenders programs, sentencing, and supervision to provide findings and recommendations for the 2007 legislative session.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A joint select committee on offenders programs, sentencing, and supervision is established.
     (1) The joint select committee shall consist of the following persons:
     (a) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate, with at least one member being a member of the senate human services and corrections committee;
     (b) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, with at least one member being a member of the house criminal justice and corrections committee;
     (c) One member appointed by the governor's office;
     (d) The attorney general, or the attorney general's designee;
     (e) The secretary of corrections, or the secretary's designee, and additional corrections representatives as the secretary of corrections deems appropriate;
     (f) A representative of the superior court judges association;
     (g) Three members, one who provides mental health treatment, one who provides alcohol and substance abuse counseling, and one who provides medical assistance services to offenders. Two of the members shall be from the department of social and health services and one member shall be from an outside service provider designated by the department of social and health services;
     (h) One member from the Washington state association of counties;
     (i) One member from the association of Washington cities;
     (j) Two members representing crime victims, appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives;
     (k) One member from the Washington association of prosecuting attorneys;
     (l) One member from the Washington association of criminal defense lawyers;
     (m) Two faculty members who educate offenders, one of whom educates incarcerated offenders and one who educates released offenders;
     (n) One member from the Washington federation of state employees representing community corrections officers;
     (o) One member from the labor organization representing correctional officers who work in adult correctional facilities;
     (p) One member appointed by the Washington multifamily housing association;
     (q) Two members representing local law enforcement, with one representing cities and one representing counties;
     (r) One member who is an ex-offender;
     (s) One member from the sentencing guidelines commission;
     (t) One member from a faith-based organization that provides outreach or services to offenders;
     (u) One member from the association of Washington business;
     (v) One member from a nonprofit organization providing work force training to released offenders; and
     (w) A member from the Washington state institute for public policy who conducts research on corrections programs.
     (2) The committee shall be cochaired by a legislative member from the senate and a legislative member from the house of representatives and shall be elected by the joint select committee.
     (3) The joint select committee shall review and make recommendations regarding:
     (a) The type of offender that would benefit most in terms of personal achievement, responsibility, and community safety, by having the opportunity to receive enhanced training and education while in prison;
     (b) The types of training and educational programs that would provide the greatest return on investment with regard to offender achievement, responsibility, and community;
     (c) Changes to the sentencing law and policies related to "good time" or early release, that would encourage incarcerated offenders to participate in training and programs that will increase the likelihood that they will be able to support themselves when they leave prison and reduce recidivism;
     (d) A method for evaluating the return on the investment and determining from front line department of corrections staff and community partners, whether the changes are improving personal responsibility on the part of the offender and reducing crime in the community; and
     (e) Changes to community supervision that would provide greater safety to the public and incentives for prisons in adhering to treatment, educational goals, and reducing recidivism.
     (4) The joint select committee shall present a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature, including any proposed legislation, by November 15, 2006.
     (5) The joint select committee may, where feasible, consult with individuals from the public and private sector in carrying out its duties under this section.
     (6) Nonlegislative members of the joint select committee shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. Legislative members of the joint select committee shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 44.04.120.
     (7) The staff from senate committee services and the office of program research of the house of representatives shall provide support to the joint select committee.
     (8) This section expires December 1, 2006.