i_jailfunding_2017a_2017-07-17t13:00:14z7 Hearing Summary

Date: 07/17/2017

Location: SCR 352

04:55 PM -- Public Testimony



04:55 PM -- Ronnie Maez, Archuleta County Commissioner, provided testimony to the interim committee. He emphasized the need for the committee to recommend concrete proposals, with an emphasis on county unfunded mandates. He also pointed out that county courthouses are housing tenants who do not pay rent. He answered questions from the committee.



04:59 PM -- Glen Davis, Montrose County Commissioner, provided testimony to the committee. He stated that jail overcrowding is a problem that can be alleviated with higher reimbursement rates. He stressed that counties receive too many unfunded mandates from the state, including the provision of health and mental health services.



05:06 PM -- Kevin Duffy, Captain of Detention, Douglas County Sheriff's Office, provided testimony to the committee. Captain Duffy recommended that the committee review the number of DOC prisoners who pass through a jail during a year time frame instead of focusing on average daily population. For example, he reported that over 7,000 DOC inmates spent time in the Douglas County Detention Facility last year, which was a significant cost to the county in terms of medical assessments, transportation issues, and release requirements. He explained that DOC has been responsive to jail backlog inmates but parole violators constitute the largest population of DOC inmates in county jails. He also discussed Medicaid and its application to county jail inmates, reimbursement issues, the use of county jails as mental health facilities, and the problems with inmate families not willing to post bond. Discussion ensued regarding Medicaid and its suspension while in a facility. Captain Duffy also clarified that jail inmate hospital stays for less than 24 hours are a county responsibility.



05:18 PM -- Denise Mays, representing American Civil Liberties Union, provided testimony to the committee regarding bail reform. She reported that bail plays a negative role in managing the pre-trial jail population. She further noted that too many inmates cannot afford to post bail and remain in jail unnecessarily because of it. She cited studies regarding the effectiveness of unsecured money or personal recognizance bonds. She answered questions from the committee.





05:30 PM



Staff announced that the next meeting of the interim committee is scheduled for July 31, 2017. The committee was adjourned.