S_JUD_2024A 01/10/2024 01:06:17 PM Committee Summary

Representative Weissman made opening remarks and committee introductions.

Michele Colin, Deputy State Auditor, and Trey Standley, Audit Manager, presented information about the status of audit implementations in the Department of Corrections.  The 2023 audit report may be found at this link: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/2353s_2023_annual_report_status_of_audit_recommendations_0.pdf.

Committee members asked questions about audits and establishing baselines.  Further discussion followed about agency responses to audits that are not fully implemented and annual check-ins. 

Executive Director Andre Stancil opened the presentation with an overview about the department's organizational mission and values. 

Human Resources Director Michelle Cottingham discussed staff vacancy rates, recruitment, and retention. 

Meredith McGrath, Deputy Executive Director, presented material about one year return to prison rates.

Ed Caley, Director, Business Innovations Group, discussed modernization efforts in the department.

Director Stancil further discussed recidivism and return rates.

Ashley Clark, Director of Finance and Administration, presented budget requests for staffing, infrastructure, and health care. 

Adrienne Sanchez, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, updated the committee about equity, diversion, and inclusion efforts in the department.  She also discussed the department's legislative and regulatory agenda, and provided new law implementation updates.

Melissa Smith, Director of Prisons, provided an update about prison facilities, as well as related legislation. 

Director Stancil made closing remarks. 

The Department of Corrections SMART Act presentation may also be viewed here:  https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/2024_smart_act_presentation_final_0.pdf

Committee members asked questions about unspent American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.  Additional questions were asked about mental health assessments and relationship to data visualization.  Discussion followed about treatment service level needs. 

Committee members next asked about the types of work programs in prison and participation rates.  Conversation turned to parole violations, trends in return to prison rates, and substance use disorcers.   

Committee questions continued about prison work and apprenticeship programs and rates of finding similar work on the outside.

Discussion ensued about staffing challenges. 

Committee members asked questions about the inmate fire fighting teams and post-incarceration data.  Discussion turned to phone calls and recent legislation to defray costs. 

Committee members asked additional questions to workforce housing and prison population management strategies, including exit plans.  Additional questions were raised about compassionate care.  

Further inquiries were made about medical caseloads, particularly for hepatitus C, and the fugitivie apprehension program. 

Jason Vitello, representing the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition (CCJRC), testified about a recent report by CCJRC about prison conditions.  The report is online at this link:  https://www.ccjrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1-9-24-CCJRC-Crisis-in-Corrections-Inmate-Experience-Report-final-1.pdf

Christie Donner, representing CCJRC, testified about prison conditions and inmate to staff ratios.  She suggested an oversight committee for DOC. 

Dan Meyer, representing Sparo Justice Center, testified about special needs or compassionate release.

Stephanie Frisinger, attorney at Maxted Law, testified about concerns about in DOC and provided a handout (Attachment A). 

Committee members asked the witnesses questions. 

Stan Hilkey, Executive Director, started out the presentation from the Department of Public Saftey (DPS) and provided a brief update on budget requests and the legislative agenda. 

Chris Schaefer, Director of Colorado Bureau of Investigations, discussed the bureau's activities.

Chief Matt Packard, Colorado State Patrol, updated the committee about state parole and outlines a strategic plan for state patrol.

Dr. Matt Lunn, Division of Criminal Justice Director, provided agency highlights, including a proposed name change.

Kevin Klein, Director, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, discussed agency activities, including the state's response to the influx of migrants. 

Chief Mike Morgan, Director, Division of Fire Prevention and Control, discussed wild fires in Colorado and mitigation efforts. 

The DPS presentation may be viewed here:  https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/final_cdps_2024_smart_act_0.pdf.

Committee members asked questions about the Office of School Safety in DPS. 

Christine Harms, Director of the Office of School Safety, responded to questions about strengthening after-school programs and collaboration efforts with schools and districts.  Further questions were asked about school resource officers and students of color. 

Committee members next asked questions about the Office of the Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives and coordination with tribes and other states. 

The discussion turned to hate crimes and related data.  Additional inquiries were made about the influx of migrants and the types of services provided by the state. 

Stan Hilkey, representing the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ), discussed the CCJJ and efforts to wrap-up its tenure, including document storage and reports.  The CCJJ presentation may be viewed here:  https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/2024_ccjd_smart_act_presentation.pdf.

Committee members asked how the CCJJ is coordinating with a potentially new body to study criminal justice issues, as proposed by the governor.