ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

House: JUD DP 9-0-0-0

HB 2047: prisoners; transition program

Sponsor: Representative Bliss, LD 1

Caucus & COW

Overview

Allows inmates to receive a one-time, 90-day extension of transition services if they meet certain eligibility requirements.

History

Current law requires the Department of Corrections (Department) to establish a transition program for eligible inmates to receive transition services in the community for up to 90 days. The Department is tasked with administering the transition program and contracting with private or nonprofit entities to provide eligible inmates with transition services, which the Department must procure pursuant to A.R.S. title 41, chapter 23 (Arizona Procurement Code). Statute outlines eligibility requirements for inmates, lists the required services and programs that must be offered and requires that victims be notified and given the opportunity to be heard before inmates are released from the program. The Department is also required to conduct and submit an annual survey to the Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives on certain data points relating to transition services (A.R.S. § 31-281).

Provisions

1. Allows the Department to grant a one-time extension to allow an eligible inmate to continue receiving transition services for an additional 90 days if all of the following are met:

a) the Department determines the inmate will need additional treatment or intervention to adequately address the inmate's criminogenic needs;

b) the contracted entity providing the inmate's transition services uses an empirically validated and peer reviewed instrument to evaluate the risk of inmate recidivism and primary criminogenic factors; and

c) the contracted entity submits an updated individualized service plan to the Department. (Sec. 1)

2. Makes a conforming change. (Sec. 1)

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6. HB 2047

7. Initials JL/MB Page 0 Caucus & COW

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