Fiscal Note - SB 0017 - Restrictions on Offenders in Correctional Centers
L.R. NO. 0321-02
BILL NO. SB 17
SUBJECT: Prisons & Jails
TYPE: Original
DATE: January 27, 1997
FISCAL SUMMARY
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000
None $0 $0 $0
Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
State Funds $0 $0 $0
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000
None $0 $0 $0
Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000
Local Government $0 $0 $0
FISCAL ANALYSIS
ASSUMPTION
Officials of the Department of Corrections (DOC) assume that restricting
offenders to their cells or dormitory housing units will result in an
increase in assaultive behavior, due to increased idleness and the added
restriction of prohibiting televisions. If behavioral problems should
increase, DOC would need to increase its current capacity for administrative
segregation space. The cost to construct administrative segregation beds is
similar to the cost to construct maximum security beds ($48,000 per bed). In
addition, administrative segregation units are more staff intensive than
regular housing units which would result in the need for additional staff.
DOC assumes that any additional assaults that occur due to the provisions of
this legislation could also result in additional sentences as a result of
prosecution for these assaults, or could increase the amount of time an
inmate could be required to serve in their current sentence. Since this
proposal could impact population projections through new or longer sentences,
additional construction costs could become necessary.
Oversight assumes that after an initial adjustment period, the number of
incidents will be minor in nature and number. Oversight further assumes that
DOC will realize some savings of expenditures for guard supervision of
inmates; due to the provisions requiring inmates to be locked in their cell,
and provisions requiring that no more than one-third of all offenders have
the same recreation time.
FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000
(10 Mo.)
0 0 0
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000
(10 Mo.)
0 0 0
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of
this proposal.
DESCRIPTION
This proposal would limit the activities of offenders under the supervision
of the Department of Corrections.
No adult television programming, defined as programming with nudity or adult
language where "viewer discretion is advised", would be allowed to be aired
at any correctional center. Offenders would be charged for television usage,
and the Department of Corrections would be allowed to restrict television
privileges based upon the amount of time that offenders work.
Offenders would be restricted to their cells in all correctional centers
except for basic activities such as eating, receiving visitors, and
exercising. This provision would not apply to offenders in minimum security
facilities.
The Department of Corrections would have the authority to establish the
amount of time that offenders in minimum security facilities could spend out
of their cells. The department would be required to establish procedures at
each correctional center to ensure that no more than one-third of the
offenders have the same or overlapping recreation time.
Offenders with less than two years remaining before their conditional release
date, would be given first priority to participate in education and drug
rehabilitation programs.
It would require that the department not allow any two offenders within the
second degree of consanguinity to be housed in the same correctional center.
This would include brothers, uncles/nephews, parents/children and
grandparents/grandchildren. Such relatives may be housed in the same
facility if they commit certain crimes (ex. sex offenses), or if no space is
available at another facility.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other
program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental
space.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Department of Corrections
This Fiscal Note is not an official copy and should not be quoted or cited.