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MINUTES OF THE
EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
Thursday,
February 6, 2020
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8:00 a.m.
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25 House Building
Members Present:
Rep. Eric K. Hutchings, House Chair
Rep. Joel Ferry, House Vice Chair
Sen. Curtis S. Bramble
Sen. David G. Buxton
Sen. Wayne A. Harper
Sen. Derek L. Kitchen
Rep. Cheryl K. Acton
Rep. Kyle R. Andersen
Rep. Brian S. King
Rep. Carol Spackman Moss
Rep. Angela Romero
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Members Absent:
Sen. Jacob L. Anderegg, Senate Chair
Sen. Lincoln Fillmore
Sen. Daniel McCay
Rep. James A. Dunnigan
Rep. Marc K. Roberts
Staff Present:
Gary R. Syphus, Finance Manager
Alexander R. Wilson, Financial Analyst
Linda Service, Committee Secretary
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Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the
meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
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| 1. 8:00 a.m.: Call to Order/Approval of Minutes |
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| Chair Hutchings called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m. |
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| 2. 8:00 a.m.: Department of Corrections (Base budget ? $334.85 Million) |
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| Alex Wilson introduced the Department of Corrections. He touched on a few items such as: jail contracting and jail reimbursement restoration, corrections delayed fiscal note impact, and jail contracting reduction. |
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| 2-Corrections Presentation - 2020 GS |
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| Mike Haddon, Executive Director, Utah Department of Corrections (UDC), introduced James Hudspeth, Deputy Director, and discussed the Department highlighting staff accomplishments over the past year. Chair Hutchings asked for broader information related to re-entry, short term recall, and resources. A discussion followed. |
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| Director Haddon continued his presentation focusing among others on the key issue of getting low risk offenders and offenders who have met their supervision guidelines off supervision. Chair Hutchings asked about data sharing with the courts. Director Haddon continued by reflecting on his professional, high quality staff. |
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| Director Haddon addressed Utah's incarceration rate noting that Utah has always been selective about who is incarcerated. Chair Hutchings responded in agreement. |
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| James Hudspeth discussed inmate populations at in-house facilities and offender populations supervised in the community. |
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| Director Haddon addressed offender recidivism and related issues. He discussed looking ahead, and among other issues highlighted moving the prison. |
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| Deputy Director Hudspeth addressed the Blueprint Solution the focus being to make sure the right offenders are receiving the right treatment in the right amount and at the right time which requires consistency and timing. |
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| Director Haddon agreed with Chair Hutchings noting the positive impact the new framework will have on offenders. He addressed the new correctional facility, along with reporting on budget requests. |
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| Deputy Director Hudspeth discussed a budget request for community case management and a behavioral health transition facility. He responded to a question from Chair Hutchings regarding bed space for the transition facility. Director Haddon clarified and a discussion followed. |
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| Director Haddon and Deputy Director Hudspeth responded to a question from Rep. Ferry noting the population using the transition facility would be parolees. |
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| Deputy Director Hudspeth continued his presentation requesting an increase in programming services in contracting jails. |
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| Rep. Moss asked where they envision the mental health facility to be located in the community. A discussion with Director Haddon followed. |
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| Director Haddon continued his presentation focusing on budget requests and reallocations and responded to questions from Chair Hutchings related to Medicaid. |
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| Director Haddon discussed the LFA recommendations, requested reallocation, and responded to questions from Chair Hutchings |
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| Rep. King suggested he is now recognizing the needs of the Utah Department of Corrections. He asked a question regarding behavioral health issues and treatment for people with mental health needs. He noted the importance of the availability of necessary resources to address behavioral and mental issues. He reflected on competition for recruits out of the prison ranks and asked for an update on deficiencies of the last audit. Director Haddon responded. |
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| Director Haddon and Deputy Director Hudspeth responded to a question from Rep. Anderesen related to the Utah County half-way house. |
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| 3. 9:10 a.m.: Utah Corrections Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police |
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| Chad Bennion, Executive Director, Utah State Corrections Lodge, FOP 14, requested full funding for their Certified Play Plan and addressed issues they are dealing with to retain officers and agents of prison facilities. |
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| 4. 9:20 a.m.: Department of Public Safety (Base budget ? $214.10 Million) |
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| Gary Syphus introduced the Department of Public Safety. He reviewed Operation Rio Grand and LFA potential budget change options. |
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| Jess Anderson, Commissioner, Public Safety, discussed the program noting their vision is "Keeping Utah Safe." He addressed targeted funding such as: 911 dispatchers compensation increase, UHP trooper compensation and retention, outreach services and engagement, Aero Bureau, and major crash investigation. |
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| 4a-DPS Budget Recommendations - 2020 GS |
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| 4c-FY 2021 DPS Budget Presentation |
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| 4d-DPS Performance Report |
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| Sen Bramble asked what the results are in terms of identifying perpetrators with DNA testing. A discussion followed with Chair Hutchings. |
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| Rep Romero commented on the processing of sexual assault kits. |
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| Rep. Andersen moved to adjourn. |
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| House Chair Hutchings adjourned the meeting at 10:55 a.m. |
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