I_SentencingReform_2017A 08/24/2017 09:00 AM Committee Summary

09:12 AM -- Ohio TCAP Program



The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Mr. Bo Pogue, Legislative Council Staff, made some opening remarks about Ohio's Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison (TCAP) program. The committee received some background information on the program, copied from the Ohio TCAP website (Attachment A). The committee watched two videos, which provided background on TCAP. The committee was then joined via telephone by Ms. Cynthia Mausser, Managing Director for the TCAP program, and Mr. Kyle M. Petty, J.D., Legislative Liaison, both with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The committee discussed with Ms. Mausser and Mr. Petty the TCAP program, its functioning, and its successes.



170824 AttachA.pdf



09:29 AM



The committee continued to discuss the TCAP program with Ohio officials via telephone. Mr. Gary Mohr, Director, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, joined the conversation via telephone and expounded at length on TCAP.















09:42 AM



The committee continued to discuss the TCAP program with Ohio officials via telephone.



09:54 AM -- Corrections Reform: Lessons from Texas



Representative Jerry Madden, Senior Fellow, Right on Crime, and Former Chair of Corrections, Texas House of Representatives, addressed the committee about his experiences as chair, and carrying legislation that brought about cost savings in the Texas correctional system. Committee members received copies of Right on Crime's Statement of Principles (Attachment B).



170824 AttachB.pdf



10:07 AM



Representative Madden continued to address the committee, discussing the factors that drive prison populations and some innovations undertaken in Texas to slow prison intake.



10:24 AM



Representative Madden continued his presentation, explaining the innovations undertaken in Texas pertaining to criminal sentencing and rehabilitation while he was in the legislature.



10:45 AM



Representative Madden responded to questions regarding the effectiveness of prison fellowship programs, and how Texas handled certain low-level offenses during his tenure.



11:00 AM



Representative Madden responded to questions concerning public support for changes to sentencing policy, victims' issues, and the length of sentences for more serious or violent offenses. He responded to further questions regarding so-called "second look" legislation, and compassionate release programming.



11:18 AM



Discussion ensued regarding mandatory minimum sentences and restorative justice.







11:30 AM -- ABA House of Delegates Resolution 2017 10B on Mandatory Minimums



Mr. Charles Garcia, American Bar Association (ABA), walked the committee through ABA House of Delegates Resolution 2017 10B, which concerns opposition to mandatory minimum sentences. Committee members received copies of the resolution and the associated report (Attachment C). Mr. Garcia began by discussing the process by which the ABA adopts resolutions, and then read the resolution. He discussed the reasons why the ABA objects to mandatory minimum sentencing laws, and the loss of judicial discretion by the imposition of mandatory minimum sentences. Mr. Garcia responded to questions regarding legislation recommendations the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ), which sought to reduce or eliminate extraordinary risk crime statutes.



170824 AttachC.pdf



11:46 AM



Mr. Garcia clarified earlier remarks about the CCJJ recommendations, and the status of these recommendations. Discussion ensued regarding the process by which CCJJ adopted these recommendations.



11:53 AM -- Committee Debrief and Other Business



Representative Weissman made remarks about the CCJJ recommendation concerning extraordinary risk crimes.



11:54 AM



Representative Lee opened public testimony; no one testified. The committee adjourned.