Transportation of Prisoners Study (language only)

Item 437 #4s

Language
Page 400, following line 11, insert:
"D.  1.  The Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees, with the cooperation of the Department of Corrections and the Virginia Sheriffs Association, shall conduct a study of all issues related to the transportation of prisoners between state and local correctional facilities and between state correctional facilities and the Circuit and District Courts in Virginia.  This study shall include a review of current laws pertaining to the responsibility of the Sheriffs and the Department of Corrections for the transportation of prisoners, current practices for transportation of prisoners, and a review of current funding provided from all sources for this purpose.  The Committees shall complete this study, including any recommendations for statutory or funding changes, prior to the 2002 Session.
2.  Pending the completion of this report and the implementation of any funding adjustments, as necessary for the 2002-04 biennium, the Department of Corrections shall provide transportation of state responsible offenders to and from all court appearances.  The Department shall provide a report to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees by July 1, 2001, on current and projected expenditures for inmate transportation, the feasibility of expanding televised hearings in order to minimize travel requirements, and other alternatives for increasing the efficiency and economy of inmate transportation services, while maintaining public safety."

Explanation
(This amendment provides for a study by the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees regarding responsibility and funding for transporting prisoners to and from court.)