S_JUD_2020A 01/14/2020 10:20:38 AM Committee Summary

The meeting was called to order by Representative Weissman. 

Nonpartisan staff made introductions.  Aaron Carpenter, Legislative Counsel Staff, discussed fiscal notes and distributed an interested persons memo regarding fiscal analysis of bills with criminal justice system impacts (Attachment A).  He also provided a brief overview of greenhouse gas notes and demographic notes. 

Steve Allen, Joint Budget Committee (JBC), introduced himself and discussed the role and services of JBC. 

Lindy Frolich, director of the Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel (OADC), provided an overview of the office and the services it provides.  She distributed three documents: annual report (Attachment B); annual performance report (Attachment C); and, performance plan (Attachment D).  The committee asked questions and discussed contract attorneys and the use of non-lawyers to decrease costs.

Ms. Frolich continued with the budget request for additional staff.  She discussed the increase in caseloads, transactions, and case filings.  She also noted agency objectives and performance measures. 

Stacie Nelson Colling, juvenile defense coordinator for OADC, discussed juvenile defense services and related evaluations.  The committee asked questions about diversion and restorative justice. 

Erin Campbell, evaluation and training coordinator of OADC, discussed competency and other trainings offered throughout  the state, both in- person or via webcast.

Committee members asked questions about municipal courts. 

Megan Ring, Colorado State Public Defender, made introductory remarks and distributed three documents to the committee:  annual hearing materials (Attachment E); performance plan (Attachment F); and a report prepared by the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Public Safety regarding case filings (Attachment G).  Karen Turner, First Assistant State Public Defender, and Maureen Cain, director of Legislative Policy and Organization Communication, joined Ms. Ring at the table.  Ms. Ring discussed the budget request for additional staff and pay increases.  The committee asked questions about average salaries and discussed salary differences between public defenders and district attorneys.  Ms. Ring also discussed recruiting efforts.  She answered questions from the committee about juveniles and diversion programs. 

Committee members inquired about the need for more attorneys and supporting data. 

Sophia Alverez, director of the Office of Public Guardianship, provided an update on getting this new office up and running. She discussed hiring four guardians, a staff assistant, and the case management system.  She distributed the budget request (Attachment H). 

Maureen Welch, representing herself, discussed public guardianship hearings and public access.

Kristin Hilkey, chairperson, and Chad Dilworth, vice-chairperson, provided an overview of the State Board of Parole and distributed the FY 2019 annual report (Attachment I).  Ms. Hilkey and Mr. Dilworth discussed and answered questions about parole plans, structured decision-making, mandatory release dates, release guideline instruments, pre-release programs, and housing.  Committee members asked about compassionate release and special needs parole.  

Further questions were asked about Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers and parole.

Dean Williams, executive director of the Deparment of Corrections (DOC), provided an overview of DOC and distributed three documents:  performance evaluation (Attachment J); performance plan (Attachment K); and presentation materials (Attachment L).  He discussed goals to decrease recidivism, increase the employment rate of parolees, and improve culture.  

Matt Hansen, Director of Prisons, discussed prison operations, location of facilities, transitional work opportunities, and education.  He explained measures to implement prison normalization, which aims to bring prison life as close as possible to normal life outside the prison.  Committee members asked questions about program participation and people of color.  The conversation turned to the closing of the Cheyenne Mountain Reentry Center. 

David Johnson, deputy director of the Division of Adult Parole, provided an overview of the Division of Parole.  He discussed parole, employment, and increasing the employment rate of parolees. 

Other DOC personnel joined Mr. Williams at the table, including Rick Tompkins, Sherrie Daigle, and Deb Goheen.  They answered questions about the budget request and staffing.  Michelle Brodeur of the DOC discussed prison healthcare.  Discussion ensued about the aging offender population and Hepatitus C. 

Roger Kincade, representing Advocates for Change and Colorado Cure, provided testimony about the positive changes within DOC. 

Travis Trani, Deputy Executive Director of Prison Operations, answered committee questions about the intake process, parole, legal software, and access to educational opportunities.  Mr. Williams further discussed various employment and educational opportunities.  The committee asked questions about victims and normalization efforts.  Committee discussion followed about community corrections.