Report to the General Assembly (Published)

Document Title

Corrections System

Author

General Assembly. Joint Subcommittee

Enabling Authority

HJR 113 (1983)

Executive Summary

The Joint Subcommittee was established in 1980 pursuant to House Joint Resolution No. 89. The two-year study was initiated to further inform the General Assembly on corrections issues so that legislative decisions would be made on the basis of a sound understanding of their short-term and long-range effects. Specific areas cited in which the General Assembly significantly affects the corrections system include laws concerning sentencing practices, good conduct allowances, parole and probation practices, and appropriation of funds for institutional and community corrections programs. Coordination between the legislature and corrections system was recognized as especially necessary at a time when the prisoner population and, consequently, state financial support of corrections programs are increasing.

The Joint Subcommittee was continued in 1982 under the authority of House Joint Resolution No. 113, and in 1983 under House Joint Resolution No. 113 (Appendix A), for further consideration of the issues identified and studied since 1980. The Joint Subcommittee was asked to focus specifically on alternatives to incarceration, short-term and long-range solutions to prison overcrowding, and development of a legislative policy to govern the· legislature's approach to corrections issues.

The Joint Subcommittee is composed of twelve members, including three members each from the House Committee for Courts of Justice, the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions, the Senate Committee for Courts of Justice and the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services.