I_RISC_2023A 09/13/2023 10:09:26 AM Committee Summary

Chair Rodriguez made opening remarks. 

Dr. Michael Campbell, Associate Professor, University of Denver, made a presentatin to the committee about recidivisim policies and definitions.  His presentation may be viewed here:  https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/recidivism_presentation.pdf

Committee members asked questions about capturing positive outcomes in recidivism studies.  Discussion followed about data collection processes and self-assessments from individuals involved in the criminal justice system. 

Further discussion ensued about crime of convctions and criminal justice system biases. Committee members asked work force related questions.  Discussion followed about recommended time frames for measuring recividism. 

Committee members raised questions about recidivism definitions and practices in other states.  Discussion next covered the importance of agency buy-in, metrics, funding, and desired outcomes.

Committee members asked about changing variables when measuring and defining recidivim.  Dicussion followed about the importance of context and what the recidivism data is gauging (i.e. the institutions, programs, or the individual). 

Maureen Cain, Office of the State Public Defender, provided an update from the study group that worked on a common or universal definition of recidivism.  She shared a document on a proposed bill concept found here:  https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/recidivism_interim_committee_common_definition_working_group_-_draft_proposal_for_interim_committee_discussion_on_sept_13.pdf..

Ms. Cain proceeded to discuss a shared definition used in other state agencies.  Committee discussion followed about whether to put a recidivism definition in state statute.

Committee members discussed what constitutes a recidivism event.  Discussion continued about other recidivism definitions and accountability and review. 

Committee members discussed the recidivism definition used by the Division of Youth Services and then proceeded to talk about data sharing. 

Committee members next discussed the benefits of having a common framework for measuring recidivism. 

Greg Saiz, representing the State Board of Parole, presented recommendations from the alternative metrics study group.  His presentation may be found at this link:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Ri3r9gEBAdXCUU7ZqAdzCZIoPjbvZRSEeJJQU7sBhLM/edit#slide=id.gc6f9e470d_0_0.

The committee discussed recommendations, Versions A and B, in the document referenced above,  Further discussion ensued about interoperability between data systems, education, and tracking behavioral health measures. 

Committee members revisited a bill from 2020 about interoperability (SB20-060). 

There was no public testimony.

Conrad Imel, Office of Legislative Legal Services, provided a brief overview about the bill draft request process. 

Committee members first discussed a bill draft about a common or universal definition of recidivism. 

The committee next discussed a bill draft about an alternative matrix  to measure success in the criminal justice system.  Committee members suggested a bill draft that encompasses Version B with the ommisison of the interoperability language. 

Committee members discussed a bill draft request about interoperability between data systems, modeled after Senate Bill 20-060.

Senator Rodriguez volunteered to be the point person on the common definition bill.  Representative Amabile volunteered on the second bill, alternative matrix, and Representative Martinez agreed to be it on the interoperability bill draft request.