S_JUD_2019A 02/22/2019 11:01:56 AM Committee Summary

Senator Lee made introductory remarks.

Lauren Larson, Director, Governor's Office of State Planning and Budgeting, presented information on criminal justice reforms and state prison capacity solutions (Attachment A).  She answered questions about short-term prison needs, re-entry supports, and vacancy rates. 

Dean Williams, Executive Director for the Department of Corrections, discussed prison capacity.  He answered questions about dedicated beds and treatment programs. 

Discussion followed about parole and re-entry. 

Committee members asked Ms. Larson and Mr. Williams questions about work release programs.  Ms. Larson emphasized the need for an emergency back-stop, such as opening Centennial South on an as-needed basis.  The committee discussed the long-term goal of swapping the Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center and the Centennial Correctional Facility.  

The committee next asked questions about and discussed recidivism, housing,  and transitioning inmates from prison to the community.   Committee members asked questions about sex offenders and treatment in prison. 

Discussion ensued about the various departments involved in the criminal justice system.

Stan Hilkey, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, discussed and answered questions about community corrections.

Vance Roper, Senior Legislative Analyst at Joint Budget Committee at the Colorado General Assembly, discussed prison utilization targets and the need to release parole eligible inmates more expeditiously. 

Christie Donner from the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition walked the committee through SB 19-143, concerning changes related to parole release to alleviate prison population issues, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.  She distributed a handout about what the bill does (Attachment B). 

The committee discussed the increase of women in prison.  They also talked about repurposing Camp George into a step-down facility. 

Maureen Cain, Office of the State Public Defender, discussed the increase in case filings.  She also suggested that legislators consider reclassifying certain crimes to decrease the prison population.  She further noted that the sex offender population needs a further look. 

Arnold Hanuman, Colorado District Attorneys' Council, responded to discussion about the increase in case filings.  He also discussed truth-in-sentencing and victims. 

Susan Walker, representing the Coalition for Sexual Offense Restoration, discussed the Sex Offender Lifetime Supervision Act and access to sex offender treatment in prison.  She distributed a related handout (Attachment C), as well as a letter from an Advocates for Change board member about mandatory sentencing for sex offenders (Attachment D). 

Tim Lopez, representing himself, discusssed the need for Parole Board input, as well as brought up problems with privatized half-way houses.