Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Public Safety Committee

HB 2579

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.

Background:

Department of Corrections.

Correctional Industries. The Department of Corrections (DOC) provides work programs to persons incarcerated in its facilities through its Correctional Industries Division. There are different classifications of correctional industry work programs. Some participants receive financial compensation for their work, while others are performed without financial compensation for the benefit of the community. The DOC deducts taxes and legal financial obligations from any wages a person may earn in a work program.

Coyote Ridge Corrections Center. Coyote Ridge Corrections Center (CRCC) is a DOC medium security prison located in Connell, Washington. Offenders at CRCC may participate in several work and vocational programs including a textile factory, groundskeeping, welding, and some work off-site in highly supervised jobs. The CRCC has an average daily population of 2,500 incarcerated individuals.

Farrier Science Certificates.

A farrier specializes in the care of equine hooves. Until last year, the Walla Walla Community College offered a farrier science certification program. To earn a farrier science certificate, a person focuses on understanding horse anatomy, disease, leg and hoof lameness, and therapeutic measures. Participants are prepared to improve or correct faulty gaits, treat feet disorders, and relieve pain to an injured leg or hoof. The program also prepares participants for the test administered by the American Farriers Association. The program recently closed due to low enrollment.

Arizona Wild Horse Program.

The Arizona Correctional Industries and the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program collaborate on the Wild Horse Inmate Program, which employs a staff of professional horse trainers and teaches inmates how to domesticate wild horses. Horses are trained in a facility located at the state prison. The facility also includes a holding center, and the public may adopt horses trained through the program.

Summary of Bill:

The DOC is required to study, evaluate, and report on the feasibility of implementing a wild horse training and holding program at the CRCC. The program must be designed in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse and Burro Program. The DOC must consult with the state Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, the Washington State University, Walla Walla Community College, and other appropriate agencies. The DOC must evaluate similar programs from other states and ensure the plan uses natural horsemanship.

The study and plan must include several specific elements. For example, the DOC must develop construction options for facilities and determine the costs of the program with consideration for safety and welfare of incarcerated persons, staff, and the horses, while maintaining appropriate levels of security. The DOC must evaluate the availability of land and water necessary to support the program, including the availability of public and private land adjacent to the CRCC.

The DOC must evaluate necessary steps to develop a partnership with the Walla Walla Community College to offer a farrier certificate program for program participants. Further, the DOC must consult with the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine to determine if students can practice care at the facilities.

The DOC must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature by November 1, 2020, and include a summary of any changes to state law necessary to implement the program.