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March 28, 2006
OLYMPIA… Gov. Chris
Gregoire today signed Senate Bill 6308, which will create a
committee to examine Washington’s prison and parole system and
look for smarter ways to save money and keep communities safe.
Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood,
has long been involved in this issue and proposed the bill with
the backing of the Department of Corrections, county officials,
local law enforcement and several community and faith-based
groups.
Carrell, who represents the
28th Legislative District, says transformation of the current
system is badly needed. “Programs that give offenders skills and
support systems have proven successful in reducing recidivism,
and I’m pleased that we’re taking this first step in the right
direction.”
SSB 6308 creates a joint
committee to review offender programs, sentencing and
supervision of the offenders upon reentry into the community,
with the stated goal of increasing public safety, maximizing
rehabilitation of the offenders and lowering recidivism.
“The committee this law creates
will be working hard this summer, hammering out the details to
save taxpayers’ money and reduce the number of crime victims in
Washington,” Carrell said.
Members of the committee will
study the four biggest hurdles to lowering the recidivism of the
state’s prisoners: substance abuse, literacy, lack of job skills
and mental health issues. It will also look at a new supervision
structure that should establish continuity between state, county
and city agencies, and community organizations that have a
vested interest in seeing the reformed offender become a
contributing member of society.
“This is the beginning of a
comprehensive, multi-tiered plan that will help to reduce
criminal behavior,” Carrell said. “It’s a way to keep
Washington’s citizens safer while reducing the burden to the
taxpayer. I’m extremely pleased to be a part of this
legislation, and optimistic about its success, both in my
district and the state of Washington.”
The committee will be made up
of one Republican and one Democrat from the Senate, one
Republican and one Democrat from the House, and the rest
appointed by the Governor. They will present a report of their
findings to the Legislature on November 15, 2006.
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For more
information contact Erich R. Ebel
at (360) 786-7395 |