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01:34:43 PM |
The committee returned to order. Mr. Rick Raemisch,
Executive Director, Ms. Kellie Wasko, Deputy Executive Director, Ms. Christina
Rosendahl, Legislative Liaison, Ms. Melissa Roberts, Director of Adult
Parole, Mr. Rick Thompkins, Director of Human Resources, Ms. Jennifer Bennett,
Director of Finance and Administration, and Ms. Deb Goheen, Budget Director,
all representing the Department of Corrections (DOC), appeared before the
committee pursuant to the SMART Government Act and Joint Rule 25. Committee
members received copies of DOC's regulatory agenda (Attachment G), performance
plan (Attachment H), a newspaper article about solitary confinement (Attachment
I), and a packet of Powerpoint slides (Attachment J).
Mr. Raemisch began the Powerpoint presentation and
provided an overview of DOC activities and pertinent issues. He
responded to questions regarding an international academy conducted by
DOC. The committee and DOC representatives discussed racial disparity
in the prison system. Mr. Raemisch explained that the DOC has made
strides in hiring a more diverse staff. He also explained that he
co-chairs a racial disparity committee on the national level, and this
committee is working on developing a standard to address racial
disparity in correctional systems. Further discussion ensued about
racial disparity, including on the national level and in private prisons.
Mr. Raemisch continued with his presentation and highlighted
the prevalence of co-occuring disorders in the inmate population. He
also discussed commitments, releases, and the increase in criminal court
filings. Committee members asked questions about increased criminal
court filings and the impact on county jails. Senator Coram noted
that he chaired an interim committee that addressed DOC inmates in county
jails and related legislation will be introduced this upcoming session.
Mr. Raemisch confirmed that is has been a priority of DOC to move
state offenders who are awaiting transfer to state prison out of county
jails. He answered questions about the average number of DOC inmates in
county jails and the fluctuations in this population. It was reported
that only in two counties, Denver and Jefferson, are DOC inmates transferred
within 72 hours. Mr. Raemisch continued with his presentation and
answered questions about prison population predictions and mandatory and
discretionary parole.
02:08 PM
The committee asked further questions about parole
and concerns were raised about the standards and calculations used for
determining parole. A Colorado Supreme Court case regarding overdue
parole hearings was also discussed.
02:21 PM
Discussion continued regarding parole eligibility,
and the sharing of data between DOC and the State Board of Parole. Ms.
Wasko provided input regarding the latter issue. Mr. Raemisch and
Ms. Wasko responded to questions regarding the number of inmates subject
to a parole hearing under a recent Colorado Supreme Court finding.
02:35 PM
Ms. Wasko responded to questions regarding a backlog
of sex offenders who cannot access the treatment programs required to become
parole eligible. Discussion ensued regarding the use of polygraph
in connection with sex offender treatment.
02:46 PM
Mr. Raemisch returned to the presentation, discussing
factors leading to increased rates of incarceration, the number of DOC
beds available, and potential ways to relieve capacity problems. Mr.
Raemisch responded to questions regarding the DOC budget for state prisons
in the coming fiscal year.
02:56 PM
Mr. Raemisch discussed population projections and
explained that the prison population will continue to increase unless there
is sentencing reform. He next discussed interstate corrections compacts,
which allow DOC to house inmates from other states and vice versa. The
most common reason for moving inmates to another state penitentiary is
for safety, and it is also used as a tool for behavioral issues, particularly
related to gangs. Mr. Raemisch responded to questions regarding private
prisons, the interstate corrections compact, and notification procedures
to victims' families when an inmate is moved out-of-state.
03:07 PM
Mr. Raemisch returned to briefing and answered questions
about reentry programs and the difficulties many offenders encounter with
obtaining a valid ID.
03:17 PM
The committee and DOC representatives discussed family
reunification efforts, and services for the hearing impaired. Mr.
Raemisch next addressed efforts to reduce recidivism and technical parole
revocations. Mr. Raemisch discussed the department's FY 2018-19 budget
request. The committee asked questions and raised concerns about
offender medical treatment and recidivism.
03:28 PM
The committee discussion revisited technical parole
revocations.
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