Joint Select Committee on Corrections

PURPOSE:     To:  (1) receive testimony from the Department of Administration regarding the construction schedule of prison beds previously authorized by the Legislature, and from the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) regarding the actual and anticipated growth or decline in the ADC's inmate population; (2) make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the number and security level of new prison beds, including private prison facilities, required to confine the projected number of new inmates; (3) review and make recommendations to the Legislature regarding future prisons; (4) review private incarceration facilities sites pursuant to A.R.S. 41-1609.02; and (5) consider other matters relating to prison construction.  The Committee may consider other matters relating to prison operations, including ADC's policies and practices, and may make recommendations to the Legislature.  The Committee shall prepare a report of its recommendations and submit the report to the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by October 15, annually.

MEMBERSHIP:

House              Five members of the House of Representatives, not more than three from the same political party, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives:

Judy Burges, Steve Gallardo, Trish Groe (Chair), Jerry Weiers, Vacant z-10 House

Senate             Five members of the Senate, not more than three from the same political party,  appointed by the President of the Senate:

Tim Bee, Robert Burns, Jorge Garcia, Jack Harper, Rebecca Rios

Other               The Governor or the Governor's designee as an ex-officio member:

Ms. Nicole Davis, Officer of the Governor

                        The Director of the Department of Administration or the Director's designee as an ex-officio member:

Mr. Alan Ecker, Department of Administration

                        The Director of the Department of Corrections or the Director's designee as an ex-officio member:

Ms. Dora Schriro, Director, Department of Corrections

Notes:  The Chair is to be elected by the Committee at its first meeting. Ex-officio members are not eligible to vote and do not count for the purposes of determining a quorum. Members are eligible for reimbursement of expenses.

CONTACT: Christina Estes-Werther, Senate Research Staff; Tami Stowe, House Research Staff

REPORT DATE: October 15, annually

EXPIRATION DATE: 12/31/2007

STATUTORY CITE: A.R.S. 41-1610.03; Laws 1994, Chapter 195, Sec. 4 & 5; Laws 1997, Chapter 128, Sec. 5 & 6; Laws 1999, Chapter 262, Sec. 25; Laws 2002, Chapter 306, Sec. 14 and Chapter 328