CAE7ABFF4C451AD8872584FE00060820 Hearing Summary

Representative Herod, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 20-1019. The bill allows the Department of Corrections (DOC) to utilize Centennial Correctional Facility's south campus (CSP II) if certain conditions are met; requires a study on ending the use of private prisons; modifies and reclassifies escape and attempted escape offenses; creates a new crime of absconding; modifies parole board policies; allows the department to set standards related to earned time; and requires courts to provide offenders with a hearing for any termination from a community corrections program. She distributed amendments L.001 (Attachment J), L.002 (Attachment K), L.003 (Attachment L), L.004 (Attachment M), L.005 (Attachment N), and L006 (Attachment O), and responded to questions from the committee.

Commissioner Chuck Netherton, representing the Bent County Board of Commissioners, testified in opposition to the idea of abolishing private prisons.

Commissioner Blaine Arbuthnot, representing the Crowley County Board of Commissioners, testified in opposition to the idea of abolishing private prisons.

Commissioner Kim MacDonnell, representing the Bent County Board of Commissioners, testified in opposition to the idea of abolishing private prisons.

Commissioner Tobe Allumbaugh, representing the Crowley County Board of Commissioners, testified in opposition to the bill.

Robert DeLong, representing the Colorado Association of Community Corrections Boards, testified from a neutral position on the bill.

Christie Donner, representing the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Denise Maes, representing the ACLU of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Tristan Gorman, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill.

Hassad Lattie, representing the Second Chance Center, testified in support of the bill.

Aaron Greco, representing the DOC, testified in support of the bill.

The panel of witnesses responded to questions from the committee.