Prison Population Management Measures

Prison population management - prison bed vacancy rate tracking- unutilized community corrections beds - parole board reviews. The act requires the department of corrections (department) to track the prison bed vacancy rate in both correctional facilities and state-funded private contract prison beds on a monthly basis. If the vacancy rate falls below 2% for 30 consecutive days, the department shall notify the governor, the joint budget committee, the parole board, each elected district attorney, the chief judge of each judicial district, the state public defender, and the office of community corrections in the department of public safety (office of community corrections). The department shall notify the governor, the joint budget committee, the parole board, each elected district attorney, the chief judge of each judicial district, the state public defender, and the office of community corrections once the vacancy rate exceeds 3% for 30 consecutive days.

When the vacancy rate falls below 2% for 30 consecutive days, the department may:

• Request the office of community corrections to provide the department with information regarding the location and nature of any unutilized community corrections beds;
• Request the parole board review a list of inmates who are within 90 days of their mandatory release date, have an approved parole plan, and do not require full board review or victim notification. The parole board must hold a file review for the inmates on the list within 10 days after the receipt of the list.
• Coordinate with the parole board to review the list of inmates who have satisfied conditions for conditional release verified by the department of corrections, do not require full board review or victim notification, and have satisfied the condition or conditions required for parole. The parole board must hold a file review for the inmates on the list within 10 days of the receipt of the list.
  (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)