Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Human Services Committee

SSB 6244

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Addressing the housing of offenders who violate community custody.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senator Carrell).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Requires the Department of Corrections (DOC) to conduct an analysis of the necessary capacity throughout the state to appropriately confine offenders who violate conditions of community custody and formulate recommendations for future capacity.
  • Requires the DOC to consider the need to decrease reliance on local correctional facilities and the costs and benefits of developing a violator treatment center to provide inpatient treatment, therapies, and counseling.
  • Requires the DOC to work with the comprehensive planning process for local jurisdictions if the DOC recommends locating or co-locating new facilities.
  • Authorizes the DOC to proceed with the conversion of existing facilities that are appropriate to house violators.
  • Requires the DOC to report the results of its analyses to the Governor and appropriate legislative committees by November 15, 2008.

Hearing Date: 2/25/08

Staff: Linda Merelle (786-7092).

Background:

An offender who violates the conditions of community custody may be returned to prison to serve any remainder of his or her sentence, may be sanctioned up to 60 days for each violation in a local correctional facility, or may be required to submit to partial confinement such as work release or home detention, or treatment, community restitution, etc.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Corrections (DOC) must analyze the needed capacity throughout the state to appropriately confine offenders who violate community supervision and must formulate recommendations for future capacity. The DOC must consider the need to decrease reliance on local jails and the costs and benefits of developing a violator treatment center.

If the DOC recommends locating or co-locating new violator facilities, it must work with local land use planning processes or apply local zoning laws. The DOC must report its results to the Governor and the Legislature by November 15, 2008.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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