I_RISC_2023A 08/02/2023 09:40:01 AM Committee Summary

The committee was called to order. All members were present. Senator Rodriguez, chair, provided some opening remarks on the creation of the interim committee. The committee discussed the committee's charge and the work to be done.

Bo Pogue, Legislative Council Staff and Conrad Imel, Office of Legislative Legal Services, gave a presentaion on the interim committee process to the committee members. The members asked questions to the presenters.

Amanda Essex, Program Principal, Criminal and Civil Justice Programs, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), made a presentation to the committee on recidivism among the states. The presentation may be found here:  https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/ncsl_-_co_recidivism_8.2.2023_final.pdf

Ms. Essex discussed NCSL and its function, and provided an overview of the definition of recidivism broadly. Ms. Essex also compared various definitions of recidivism among the states and how recidivism is measured. Ms. Essex responded to questions regarding certain events that trigger the measure of recidivism, and which bodies engage in measuring recidivism. Ms. Essex responded to further questions regarding the statutory definition of recidivism in Washington, and the use of a particular definition of recidivism among the states. Discussion ensued regarding how states measure program success with respect to recidivism.

Dr.  Erin Crites, member, Treatment of Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice System, Recidivism Task Force (BHDCJS), presented the findings of the task force and made a proposal to the committee. Committee Members received two handouts:

• BHDCJS subcommitee findings and recommendations:  https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/recidivism_definition_discussion-bhdcjs_recidivism_subcommittee.pdf
• National Academy of Science study about the limits of recidivism:  https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/nas_recidivism_study_summary.pdf

 

Dr. Crites responded to questions regarding collecting and managing data associated with recidivism in Colorado, and whether recidivism is being measured in the state under certain release scenarios. Dr. Crites responded to further questions regarding how to reduce recidivism. Discussion ensued regarding varying windows of recidivism for juveniles among the states.

Meghan Baker, Facilities and Community Integration Attorney Team Leader, Disability Law Colorado, and also chair of the Jail Standards Commission, presented to the committee on recidivism at the local and jail level. Ms. Baker explained the basis for sending people to jail, and the circumstances surrounding jail as compared to prison and how these circumstances affect the measurement of recidivism. She also discussed the escalation of criminal activity and the various paths to jail, and how this makes measuring recidivism at the local level difficult.

Jack Reed, interim committee member and Research Director for the Office of Research and Statistics, Division of Criminal Justice, Department of Public Safety, discussed the collection of recidivism statistics at the local level, and difficulties in capturing these statistics due to the role of jail in the criminal justice system.

Discussion ensued regarding what constitutes a readmission to jail. Ms. Baker responded to questions regarding the activities of the Jail Standards Commission with respect to measuring jail readmission. Mr. Reed responded to questions regarding the connection between crime rates and reporting and recidivism, and the various components that are involved with measuring recidivism in jails. Discussion ensued regarding the benefits of, and difficulties associated with, creating a statewide data portal for measuring recidivism. Mr. Reed responded to questions regarding measuring recidivism in juvenile detention facilities.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Sally Hill, Senior Analyst, Division of Youth Services, Department of Human Services presented to the committee on how the agency definitines and measures of recidivism. The committee asked questions to Ms. Hill.  Ms. Hill's presentation Powerpoint is at this link: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/hill_sally_recidivism_committee_powerpoint_8.2.23.pdf

Jack Reed, Research Director, Office of Research and Statistics, Division of Criminal Justice, Department of Public Safety presented to the committee on how the agency definitines and measures of recidivism. The committee asked questions to Mr. Reed.

Greg Saiz, Parole Board Member, State Board of Parole presented to the committee on how the agency definitines and measures of recidivism. The committee asked questions to Mr. Saiz.  Mr. Saiz's presentation may be found at this link: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/co_board_of_parole_presentation_fy22.pdf

 

 

Adrienne Sanchez, Department of Corrections, presented to the committee on how the agency defines and measuresrecidivism. The committee asked questions to Ms. Sanchez

Glenn Tapia, Director of Probation Services in the Judicial Branch,discussed  agency definitions of recidivism and related history.  His presentation may be viewed here:  https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/probation_recidivism_hx_-_interim_leg_committee_-_aug_2023.pdf

Gordon McLaughlin, District Attorney, 8th Judicial District, presented to the committee on the district's definition of recidivism and how the 8th Judicial District measures the same. The committee asked questions to the presenters.  The presentation may be seen at this link:  https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/recidivism_com_8.2_meeting.pdf

Christie Donner, Executive Director, Colordo Criminal Justice Reform Coalition and Abi Olson, Post-Conviction Victim Advocate, discussed recidivism definitions, as they pertain to community providers. The committee discussed the various definitions of recidivism heard during the meeting and asked questions to the presenters.

The Committee discussed the questions that they would like to pursue and the formation of smaller study groups about a common definition and alternative matrix to measure success.  Further discussion ensued regarding studying the interoperability of data systems to measure recidivism. The committee discussed next steps for bill proposals and future meeting dates.