House of Representatives

HB 2563

community transition program

Sponsors: Representatives Anderson, Brimhall, Landrum

dpa	Committee on Human Services
w/d	Committee on PIRA
dpa	Committee on Appropriations
dpa	Caucus and COW	This bill as transmitted to the Governor contains an Appropriation clause.
x	As Transmitted to the Governor

HB 2563 establishes the Community Transition Program to facilitate the reentry of persons incarcerated in a state Department of Corrections (ADC) facility into the community.

History

Numerous states provide prisoner transition programs prior to release. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice offers numerous programs throughout their facilities, including some faith-based programs. One of Texas' programs, Project RIO (Re-Integration of Offenders) is specifically designed to reduce the recidivism rate in Texas, which is the state with the second highest prison population. Project RIO has more than 100 staff members in 62 offices who provide job placement services for nearly 16,000 parolees each year in every Texas county. Idaho offers the Family Reunification Program designed to integrate incarcerated parents back into society and their families for the benefit of their children.

As of February 8, 2001, ADC facilities contained 26,803 incarcerated persons. Over the last three years, the average number of incarcerated persons released annually is 13,090.

Provisions

· Defines the term eligible person.

· Establishes the Community Transition Program (Transition Program) within the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), and requires DES to contract with a private or nonprofit entity to implement the Transition Program.

· Allows the contracted entity to establish a network of community and faith-based organizations to provide mentoring services and assistance to an eligible person before and after incarceration.

· States that the director of DES shall adopt rules including:

· Eligibility criteria for receiving the contracted entity's services, providing at least that:

· The person is an adult or juvenile offender incarcerated within a state ADC facility who will be released within 12 months.

· The person signs a written statement to provide specific information after release.

· A requirement that the contracted entity train mentors or certify that the mentors are trained.

· The types of services offered to an eligible person.

· Prohibits DES from discriminating against a contracted entity in awarding a contract.

· States that all services shall be coordinated with ADC.

· Requires ADC to conduct an annual recidivism rate survey, and evaluate the person before determining eligibility. The director of DES shall make the final determination of program eligibility.

· Requires ADC to annually report by December 31 to the governor and the legislature the following information for the Transition Program:

· The recidivism rate of persons participating.

· The number of persons who received services.

· The number of persons on a waiting list for program services.

· The types of services offered.

· The number of persons that utilized each service.

· States that possible services for eligible persons may include:

· Assistance in placing the person in employment.

· Assistance in placing a person in job training.

· Assistance in finding other transitional needs such as housing, food or treatment services.

· Assistance in finding the person health insurance coverage and assistance in finding medication, if necessary.

· Providing the person at least one mentor.

· States that the contracted entity shall coordinate with ADC in assisting to place eligible persons in appropriate training programs.

· Requires DES to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with ADC to locate a minimum of two offices for the contracted entity in any two facilities under the jurisdiction of ADC. In addition, the contracted entity shall maintain at least two offices, which are not located within ADC facilities, and are located in at least two different cities.

· Terminates the Transition Program on July 1, 2011.

· Establishes the Community Transition Fund consisting of $600,000 in each of the FYs 2001-02 and 2002-03 from each of the following funds in ADC:

· alcohol abuse fund.

· drug treatment and education fund.

· Requires the contracted entity to begin providing services by July 1, 2002.

· Makes technical and conforming changes.

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· 45th Legislature

· First Regular Session 3 May 8, 2001

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