2525BEA6A6E92DBE872584EF00832AFD Hearing Summary

Dean Williams, executive director of the Deparment of Corrections (DOC), provided an overview of DOC and distributed three documents:  performance evaluation (Attachment J); performance plan (Attachment K); and presentation materials (Attachment L).  He discussed goals to decrease recidivism, increase the employment rate of parolees, and improve culture.  

Matt Hansen, Director of Prisons, discussed prison operations, location of facilities, transitional work opportunities, and education.  He explained measures to implement prison normalization, which aims to bring prison life as close as possible to normal life outside the prison.  Committee members asked questions about program participation and people of color.  The conversation turned to the closing of the Cheyenne Mountain Reentry Center. 

David Johnson, deputy director of the Division of Adult Parole, provided an overview of the Division of Parole.  He discussed parole, employment, and increasing the employment rate of parolees. 

Other DOC personnel joined Mr. Williams at the table, including Rick Tompkins, Sherrie Daigle, and Deb Goheen.  They answered questions about the budget request and staffing.  Michelle Brodeur of the DOC discussed prison healthcare.  Discussion ensued about the aging offender population and Hepatitus C. 

Roger Kincade, representing Advocates for Change and Colorado Cure, provided testimony about the positive changes within DOC. 

Travis Trani, Deputy Executive Director of Prison Operations, answered committee questions about the intake process, parole, legal software, and access to educational opportunities.  Mr. Williams further discussed various employment and educational opportunities.  The committee asked questions about victims and normalization efforts.  Committee discussion followed about community corrections.