Temporary Inmate Transfer

The act allows the Centennial correctional facility-south c-tower to be used to temporarily house protective-, close-, and medium-custody inmates for the duration of the Sterling correctional facility access controls project (project). The use of the Centennial correctional facility-south c-tower is permitted only after the department of corrections (department) determines that there are no suitable beds available to house an inmate in another department facility.

The act requires the department to, at least 30 days prior to relocating any inmates, provide a structured relocation plan to the joint budget committee and the house of representatives judiciary committee and the senate judiciary committee, or their successor committees, and to update those committees during the project. The plan must include, but is not limited to:

• What programs or classes will be available to the inmates;
• What behavioral health and medical care will be available;
• What employment opportunities will be available and the rate of pay for each employment opportunity;
• What recreational opportunities will be available;
• What visitation opportunities will be available;
• How many hours a day an inmate will be allowed out of their cell based on their medium- or close-custody level or protective custody status;
• Whether, prior to transfer, the department plans to conduct a reclassification or other custody review on any medium-security inmate to determine whether the inmate is appropriate to progress or have an override to minimum-restrictive custody; and
• An estimate of how long inmates will be temporarily held at Centennial correctional facility-south c-tower and if the relocations will be based on the duration of the project at the Sterling correctional facility.

The act also requires the department to provide updates on the status of the access controls project at its "SMART Act" hearing required by section 2-7-203.

The act appropriates $1,829,000 from the general fund to the department to implement the act.

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)