Phoenix, Arizona
Interstate compact; adult
offender supervision
Purpose
Updates the existing Parole
and Probation Interstate Compact (the Compact) to allow for more accurate
tracking of offenders and more consistency regarding supervision definitions,
notification of victims and law enforcement, and compliance mechanisms.
Background
The existing Parole and
Probation Interstate Compact was created in 1937 when far fewer offenders were
supervised outside of the states where they were sentenced. According to the Council of State
Governments, over a quarter of a million parolees and probationers are now
supervised under the Compact, a compact viewed by the Council as outdated. The
intent of the new compact is to address issues related to victims, supervision,
and enforcement.
The Council of State
Governments, the Probation and Parole Compact Administrators Association, the
American Probation and Parole Association, and the National Institute of
Corrections have all endorsed the idea of a new compact. Language for the new compact was drafted by
a national drafting team consisting of representatives from superior courts,
departments of correction, district attorneys offices and other agency
representatives.
Thirty-five states and
territories must pass the Compact before it may take effect. In 2000, nine states signed the Compact into
law. The first 35 participating states
will be able to assist in the administrative, by-law, and rulemaking decisions.
According to the
Administrative Office of the Courts, as of July 2000 the State of Arizona
supervised 1,210 probationers and 21 parolees from other states and in the same
month 1,634 probationers and 36 parolees from Arizona were being supervised in
other states.
A fiscal note has been
requested from JLBC.
1. Standardizes the definition of supervision for probationers and parolees.
2. Allows a state’s compact administrator to notify communities, victims, and law enforcement when offenders move between states.
3. Allows a participating state to have recourse against other participating states that do not abide by the Compact.
4. Establishes a national Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision.
5. Creates state councils responsible for appointing commissioners to the national commission as well as providing oversight and advocacy.
6. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 2, 2001