Chief Patron: Bloxom
Plan to Reduce Overcrowding (language only)

Item 401 #1h

Language
Page 304, line 8, before "The" insert "A."
Page 304, after line 15, insert:
"B.  The Secretary of Public Safety shall prepare a master plan for state-responsible prisoners for the five years from fiscal year 2003 through fiscal year 2008.  This five-year master plan shall provide for reductions in overcrowding measured as a percentage of prisoners projected to be held in each prison compared to the number of prisoners for which each prison was designed.  The plan shall consider both the transfer of prisoners to less crowded prisons and the increased assignment of prisoners to community-based facilities.  The plan shall reflect consideration of prison design capacity, operation capacity, and space in alternative community facilities.  These alternative facilities include those with jail contract beds, work-release facilities, other available community corrections program space, and additional community-based facilities needed but not currently funded.  The plan shall be provided to the Chairmen of the House  Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees and the Chairmen of the House and Senate Courts of Justice Committees by December 20 of each year."

Explanation
(This amendment requires the Secretary of Public Safety to prepare a master plan aimed at reducing crowding in the prison system and providing effective reentry of prisoners to society.)