H_JUD_2019A 01/15/2019 01:31:55 PM Committee Summary

The committee was called to order.  A quorum was present.  Representative Weissman provided some introductory remarks to the committee. Mr. Aaron Carpenter and Mr. Chris Creighton, Fiscal Analysts with Legislative Council Staff, introduced themselves to the committee and explained their role in the legislature. Committee members received a background memorandum on the fiscal analysis process (the memorandum may be accessed at: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/lcs/2019_memo_update... ). Mr. Carpenter provided background on the process. Mr. Creighton discussed some issues of particular relevance to judicial matters.

Mr. Michael Dohr, Office of Legislative Legal Services, introduced himself and his team, and discussed the services that his office provides to the legislators.

Mr. Greg Sobetski, Legislative Council Staff, presented the December 2018 prison population forecast, created by Legislative Council Staff. The forecast may be accessed at: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/dec2018forecast.pdf (see page 55). Committee members received a packet of slides forming the basis for the presentation (Attachment A). Mr. Sobetski discussed some factors that resulted in the prison population exceeding the June 2018 forecast, and the level of increase that took place. He also discussed population trends in recent fiscal years. Mr. Sobetski discussed the population growth rates among the male and female populations. Discussion ensued regarding factors that may be leading to an increase in the female offender population, and the balance of the offender population that is not in state-run prisons.

Mr. Sobetski discussed the inputs that are shaping the prison population expectations going forward, including the growth in court commitments. Mr. Sobetski responded to questions regarding the types of crimes that are driving the increase in court filings, and what led to a decrease in felony case filings starting around 2006.

Mr. Sobetski returned to his presentation, discussing trends in offender releases. Mr. Sobetski responded to questions regarding the effect of recent legislation on offender releases, and intensive inmate supervision. Mr. Sobetski responded to further questions regarding prison population trends along demographic lines. Discussion ensued regarding vacancy rates in Colorado's prisons. Mr. Sobetski discussed expected trends in the prison population, and responded to questions regarding prison population trends in other states. Mr. Sobetski responded to further questions regarding trends in violent crimes.

Mr. Sobetski briefed the committee on the population projections for adjudicated youth. Mr. Sobetski responded to questions regarding the reasons why this population is declining and projected to continue its decline, and the impact of discretionary parole on this decline.

The committee discussed the work to come before it in 2019.