3BA49FEA7A8AC723872586CD0081E12B Hearing Summary

Senator Lee, bill sponsor, explained House Bill 21-1211, concerning regulations for restrictive housing in local jails.  He discussed the merits of the bill, its application, and start date. 

He answered questions about violent inmates. 

Captain Matt Turner, representing Weld County Sheriffs Office, testified in opposition to the bill.  He raised safety concerns and discussed mental health services.

Lieutenant Matt Elbe, representing Weld County Sheriffs Office, testified in opposition to the bill. He discussed psychiatric evaluations and the treatment of mentally ill inmates.

Director Stephanie Tornquist, representing Weld County Sheriffs Office, testified in opposition to the bill. She raised concerns about the increasing number of inmates with mental health issues.

Committee members asked questions about restrictive housing policies in jails.  Discussion ensued about graduated housing options, suicide, and qualifications of mental health professionals. 

Committee members asked further questions about staffing and recruitment in correctional facilities. 

Mr. Richard Partridge, representing self, testified in support of the bill.  He distributed an article (Attachment O) and discussed the experience of his son in solitary confinement. 

Mr. Ryan Partridge, representing self, testified in support of the bill. 

Ms. Shelley Partridge, representing self, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed mistreatment in jail, severe mental illness, and alternatives to restrictive housing.

Ms. Nancy Covelli, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked questions about identifying mental illness and competency to proceed.  

Sheriff Joe Pelle, representing County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. He raised concerns about implementation and costs associated with reconfiguring jails. 

Lieutenant Jenny McMillan, representing Douglas County Sheriffs Office, testified in opposition to the bill. He discussed the competency backlog and raised safety concerns.

Chief Robert Reardon, representing Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, testified in opposition to the bill.  He discussed jail standards, processing centers, and least restrictive alternatives. 

Committee discussion followed about competency to proceed, special needs units, and inmates in crisis. 

The committee proceeded to discuss safety, medication, nuances between restrictive housing, and solitary confinement.

Ms Sandra Dummit, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Jeffrey Metzner, representing Colorado Psychiatric Society, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Micah Pearson, representing National Alliance on Mental Illness, testified in support of the bill.

Terri Hurst, representing Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of the bill. She discussed Jail Based Behavioral Health Services (JBBS) funding and court rulings about solitary confinement in jails.

Committee members asked questionsa bout JBBS funding. 

Sheriff Tyler Brown, representing Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office & County Sheriffs of Colorado Association, testified in opposition to the bill.  He raised concerns about safety and construction costs.

Chief Jared Rowlison, representing Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office & County Sheriffs of Colorado Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Erin Powers, representing Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office & County Sheriffs of Colorado Association, testified in opposition to the bill. She raised legal concerns. 

Committee members asked questions about retrofitting, staffing, and separation of powers.

Professor Laura Rovner, representing self, testified in support of the bill. She discussed research about alternatives to, and the detriments of, restrictive housing  She also addressed separation of powers. 

Rebecca Wallace, representing ACLU of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Lauren Snyder, representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed jail standards and vulnerable inmate populations. 

Meghan Baker, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked questions about separation of powers. 

Mr. Jeff Goetz, representing Boulder County Sheriff's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. He discussed costs, safety, and mental health holds.

Ms. Melanie Dreiling, representing Boulder County Jail, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. David Hughes, representing Boulder County, testified in opposition to the bill.

Committee members asked questions about how jails handle inmates in the middle of a psychotic episode. 

Mr. Patrick Hackney, representing The Arc of Larimer County, testified in support of the bill.

Mrs. Marilyn Hughes, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Alison Butler, representing Colorado Bar Association, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Christine Mohr, representing El Paso County Sheriff's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. She suggested jails be designated as health facilities for treatment purposes and discussed mental health assessments. 

Commander Lari Hanenberg, representing El Paso County Sheriff's Office, testified in opposition to the bill.

Chief of Staff Janet Huffor, representing El Paso County Sheriff's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. He discussed involuntary medication and JBBS funding. 

Ms Adrienne Leonard, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Lindsay Saunders, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Megan Gulley, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Written testimony can be found in Attachment P. 

Senator Lee distributed and explained Amendment L.010 (Attachment R) regarding mental health screenings. 

Senator Lee distributed and explained Amendment L.011 (Attachment S) that addresses suicide in jails. 

Senator Lee distributed and explained Amendment L.012 (Attachment T) regarding deputies and frequency of inmate checks. 

Senator Lee distributed and explained Amendment L.013 (Attachment U) regarding mental health assessments.

Senator Lee distributed and explained Amendment L.014 (Attachment V) regarding inmate exercise.

Senator Lee distributed and explained Amendment L.015 (Attachment W) regarding court orders.

Senator Lee distributed and explained Amendment L. 016 (Attachment X) regarding notification of medical or mental health professionals. 

Senator Lee distributed and explained Amendment L. 017 (Attachment Y) regarding hospital transfers.  Lauren Snyder, identified earlier, expanded upon hospital transfers. 

Senator Lee made closing remarks. 

Committee members gave reasons in support of or opposition to the bill.