April 16, 2007

OLYMPIA… The Senate today officially shelved Sen. Mike Carrell’s original prison and supervision reform bill in favor of a new bill, Senate Bill 6172. 

The original bill, Senate bill 5070, underwent many changes and amendments in both the House and the Senate before meeting some resistance in the House.  Carrell, R-Lakewood, said he is excited about the new version of the proposal, and the changes that will make it stronger. 

“This bill has been through so many changes, both in the Senate and the House, but the fact that it’s still moving forward tells me that we all recognize the need for changes to the way our state treats and supervises felons,” Carrell said.  “I’m actually very pleased with the new version.” 

SB 6172 would direct the state Department of Corrections to change the way that it incarcerates, treats, releases and supervises offenders to address offenders’ lack of education and job skills, problems with drugs and alcohol, and behavioral issues.  The changes would be the most significant to the DOC since the agency was created. 

Last summer, Carrell and Sen. Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma, co-chaired the Joint Task Force on Offender Programs, Sentencing and Supervision, which heard input from corrections officers, former offenders, victims groups, the courts, city and county representatives, and law enforcement.  SB 5070 was based on the recommendations made by the task force. 

“The two bills are nearly identical, save for a few exceptions,” Carrell said.  “The new bill will have something called ‘fair share,’ which is very important to people in places like Spokane, Walla Walla and in my district in Pierce County.  Under SB 6172, felons would be released into the counties where they committed their original felony instead of being dumped into the neighborhoods outside the prisons. 

“Also, state and local government employees would not be liable for things that happen during supervision unless the act or omission constitutes gross negligence,” Carrell said. 

Some other changes to the bill include requiring offenders who seek a community college education to get job-related degrees, and paying interest on any educational loans they receive. 

Because SB 6172 is funded through the state operating budget, it is not subject to legislative cutoff dates.  It must now receive a floor vote from both houses of the Legislature to become law.

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Sen. Mike Carrell represents the 28^th Legislative District, which includes Lakewood, Steilacoom, University Place, DuPont, Fircrest, and parts of Tacoma, Fort Lewis, and McChord Air Force Base.

For more information contact Erich R. Ebel
at (360) 786-7395