82C4D3763BEF0964872589FF005E899F Hearing Summary

Meghan Baker, Facilities and Community Integration Attorney Team Leader, Disability Law Colorado, and also chair of the Jail Standards Commission, presented to the committee on recidivism at the local and jail level. Ms. Baker explained the basis for sending people to jail, and the circumstances surrounding jail as compared to prison and how these circumstances affect the measurement of recidivism. She also discussed the escalation of criminal activity and the various paths to jail, and how this makes measuring recidivism at the local level difficult.

Jack Reed, interim committee member and Research Director for the Office of Research and Statistics, Division of Criminal Justice, Department of Public Safety, discussed the collection of recidivism statistics at the local level, and difficulties in capturing these statistics due to the role of jail in the criminal justice system.

Discussion ensued regarding what constitutes a readmission to jail. Ms. Baker responded to questions regarding the activities of the Jail Standards Commission with respect to measuring jail readmission. Mr. Reed responded to questions regarding the connection between crime rates and reporting and recidivism, and the various components that are involved with measuring recidivism in jails. Discussion ensued regarding the benefits of, and difficulties associated with, creating a statewide data portal for measuring recidivism. Mr. Reed responded to questions regarding measuring recidivism in juvenile detention facilities.