A0F964E65ECA8AC58725845400556A96 Hearing Summary

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Stan Hilkey, Executive Director, Department of Public Safety; Dean Williams, Executive Director, Department of Corrections (DOC); Troy Riggs, Executive Director, Denver Department of Public Safety; Eric Williams, Deputy Director, Denver Department of Public Safety; Michael Sapp, Government and Community Affairs Director, Denver Department of Public Safety; Elias Diggins, Division Chief, Denver Sheriff Department; and Hassan Latif, Executive Director of the Second Chance Center, led a discussion about the recent vote by the Denver City Council to not renew community corrections contracts with private providers. Mr. Hilkey discussed the implications of not placing offenders with private providers. Mr. D. Williams followed up on the number of offenders affected by the decision, and potential implications for the DOC. Mr. D. Williams and Mr. Hilkey responded to questions regarding the number of vacant beds currently in the DOC and community corrections systems, and various capacity issues. Mr. Riggs discussed actions undertaken by his agency in response to the Denver City Council vote, and plans for the future.

Mr. Riggs responded to questions regarding the current agreement between Denver and private community corrections providers. Mr. D. Williams and Mr. Hilkey responded to questions regarding discussions between their departments and the Denver City Council on the decision to not continue Denver's relationship with private community corrections providers. Discussion ensued on this point. Discussion returned to the current relationship between Denver and private community corrections providers, and the implications of the City Council decision.  Mr. D. Williams responded to questions regarding potential placement of the subject offenders in the DOC.  Discussion ensued regarding placement of these offenders.

Discussion continued regarding the offender population affected by the Denver City Council decision, and options for placing these offenders. Director Tapia discussed the implications of the decision for the probation system. Discussion ensued regarding the "ripple effect" of the Denver decision on various corrections-related systems. Mr. Latif discussed the implications of the Denver City Council decision from a community reentry perspective. Discussion followed regarding what happens if negotiations between Denver and private community corrections providers do not result in a resolution.

Discussion ensued regarding further ramifications of the Denver City Council decision, such as liability. Discussion returned to the implications of the decision, and options for placing those currently in the private community corrections programs. Discussion followed regarding options for transitioning away from the use of private community corrections providers.