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Minutes for HB2031 - Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice
Short Title
Increasing good time and program credits for certain offenders.
Minutes Content for Mon, Jan 25, 2021
Vice-Chair Owens opened the hearing on HB2031.
Natalie Scott, Assistant Revisor, gave an overview of HB2031. (Attachment 7) Questions from the Committee were addressed.
Scott Schultz testified in favor of HB2031 stating this bill has implications as far as incarcerated offenders now and going forward. This sentencing reform recommendation to the legislature and Governor Kelly has numerous benefits for the offender who works their program, facility staff, and a major impact in reducing bed space. (Attachment 8) Mr. Schultz stood for questions from the Committee.
Mr. Schultz also submitted a HB2031 Prison Bed Impact Assessment for Committee review. (Attachment 9)
Randy Bowman testified in favor of HB2031 stating the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) is a member of the Kansas Sentencing Commission and the Prisoner Review Board so KDOC has been actively involved in these conversations and appreciate and support the interest in this concept. Mr. Bowman wanted to stress this is about acknowledging behavior in a pro-social way and hopefully transfers into the communities when offenders are released. It also allows for limited public resources to more effectively focus on those who are higher risk to re-offend in a facility or after release. (Attachment 10) Mr. Bowman responded to questions from the Committee.
There was no opponent testimony.
Marc Bennett gave neutral testimony on HB2031 stating the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission did not endorse a specific percentage increase for good time credit but acknowledged it deserves attention by policy makers. Mr. Bennett offered suggestions in the testimony. (Attachment 11) Mr. Bennett responded to questions from the Committee.
Vice-chair Owens called for final questions from the Committee.
The hearing on HB2031 was closed.
