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0E4BDE5D1A11FA728725843F006B6396 Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For DRIVERS OF THE PRISON POPULATION

INTERIM COMMITTEE  PRISON POPULATION MANAGEMENT INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE
Date Jul 22, 2019      
Location LSB A



Drivers of the Prison Population - Committee Discussion Only

01:32:59 PM  

The committee was called back to order.

Maureen Cain, Office of the State Public Defender, provided a brief history of sentencing practices in Colorado and distributed three documents outlining criminal code penalties and fines (Attachments F, G, and H).  She also distributed a document prepared by the Judicial Department about sex offender penalties and statutory consequences (Attachment I).  She also covered determinate sentencing, truth-in-sentencing, sex offender lifetime supervision, second look sentencing, and life without parole in her presentation.  She noted that many felonies were created throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.  She stressed that there needs to be more mental and behavioral health treatment. 

Tom Raynes, Colorado District Attorneys' Council, also discussed sentencing and the need for meaningful treatment options.  He discussed recidivism and noted that 30 percent of criminal case filings are drug-related.  Indeterminate sentencing for sex offenders was also discussed. 

 

02:03:23 PM  

Ms. Cain discussed drug distribution and possession filings and the correlation between motor vehicle theft and drugs.  The committee discussed tightening sentencing ranges for more certainty. They also asked questions about parole eligibility, earned time credit, and district attorney sentencing recommendations.  Questions were also raised about the incarceration rate for women and related crimes. 

 

02:19:25 PM  

Committee members discussed how both victims and offenders have difficulties navigating a complicated criminal justice system, especially in the understanding and application of sentencing ranges and time served.  Discussion turned to judicial discretion.  Committee discussion further ensued about sentencing schemes in other states, treatment, recidivism, and the short-sentence population. 

 






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