Who is the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition?

Our mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We are a coalition of nearly 7,000 individual members and over 100 faith and community organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

Our chief areas of interest include drug policy reform, women in prison, racial injustice, the impact of incarceration on children and families, the problems associated with re-entry and stopping the practice of using private prisons in our state.

If you would like to be involved please go to our website and become a member.


Tuesday, April 28, 2009

SB 286 - The Most Recent Version (Sentencing Reform)

After consideration on the merits, the Committee recommends that SB09-286 be
amended as follows, and as so amended, be referred to the Committee of the Whole
with favorable recommendation.
Amend printed bill, strike everything below the enacting clause and
substitute the following:

"SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that:

(a) In 2007, it created the Colorado commission on criminal and
juvenile justice, referred to in this section as the "commission", in
House Bill 07-1358;

(b) The commission was tasked with enhancing public safety,
ensuring justice, and ensuring protection of the rights of victims
through the cost-effective use of public resources by studying
evidence-based, recidivism reduction initiatives that ensure the
cost-effective expenditure of limited criminal justice funds;

(c) Based on that study and consistent with its mission, the
commission developed sixty-six recommendations, including six bills
referred to the general assembly during the 2009 legislative session;
and
41
(d) The state of Colorado faces an unprecedented budget crisis
during the coming fiscal year, and it is imperative that the general
assembly consider cost-saving measures in the criminal justice
system during the second regular session of the sixty-seventh general
assembly.
(2) Therefore, the general assembly determines that it is necessary
to direct the commission to prioritize the study of sentencing reform
while maintaining the public safety.

SECTION 2. 16-11.3-103, Colorado Revised Statutes, is
amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SUBSECTION to read:

16-11.3-103. Duties of the commission - mission - staffing -
repeal. (2.5) (a) USING EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS AND EVIDENCE-BASED
DATA, THE COMMISSION SHALL STUDY SENTENCING PRACTICES IN
COLORADO.

(b) SPECIFICALLY, THE COMMISSION MAY STUDY, INCLUDING BU T
NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING SENTENCING AREAS:

(I) A STATEWIDE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS CORRECTIONAL
FACILITY MANAGEMENT PLAN AND POTENTIAL DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY BED LIMITATION;

(II) SENTENCING PRACTICES RELATED TO THE OFFENSE OF DRIVING
UNDER RESTRAINT DESCRIBED IN SECTION 42-2-138, C.R.S.;

Senate Journal-112th Day-April 28, 2009 Page 1341
(III) SENTENCING PRACTICES RELATED TO DRUG CRIMES
DESCRIBED IN ARTICLE 18 OF TITLE 18, C.R.S.; AND
(IV) WHETHER PAROLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SENTENCE OR
OUTSIDE THE SENTENCE.

(c) (I) BY NOVEMBER 30, 2009, THE COMMISSION SHALL UPDATE
THE GOVERNOR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE
SUPREME COURT, AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY REGARDING THE COMMISSION'S FINDINGS,
RECOMMENDATIONS, AND PROPOSED PLAN FOR THE ONGOING STUDY
OF SENTENCING REFORM. ADDITIONALLY, BY FEBRUARY 1, 2010, THE
COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING
THE SENTENCING PRACTICES STUDIED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (b)
OF THIS SUBSECTION (2.5).

(II) THIS PARAGRAPH (c) AND PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SUBSECTION
(2.5) ARE REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010.

SECTION 3. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.".

6 comments:

Andrew Oh-Willeke said...

In other words, the late trial balloon of SB 286 to make a major reduction in sentences for non-violent offenders to save money has been gutted in favor of more study, with a sop to a recent recidivist DUI story and a direction to look at parole reform.

Anonymous said...

In other words the elected officials I voted for caved...Over 2 years now since CCJJ was formed to "study" ways to reduce recidivism...more talk talk talk...we want action! End Mandatory Parole Now! IT'S FAILING EVERYONE!

Pamela Clifton and Christie Donner said...

It's wrapped into the language of SB 286. The reality is that it probably would not be retroactive. I urge you strongly to contact the CCJJ about any concerns you may have.

Anonymous said...

Ms. Clifton and Ms. Donner: I must compose myself before I can contact any member of CCJJ respectfully. At present, I have absolutely no respect for them whatsoever. It is invisibly clear that they have no respect or concern for the progressive reform.

Your advice is good. I advise everyone who is able to contact CCJJ and seriously hope the messengers get a civil and honest response in return. A lack of honesty or response would be a sign of inconsideration.

Yes ... END MANDATORY PAROLE N-O-W!!! It is designed to further enslave the individuals and their progress. Deliberate.

I saw behind the deceptive practices of CCJJ when I first found out about it and a few of its members. I am thrilled to see that many people are catching on to the politically motivated CCJJ. Many more are coming on board with legitimate disdain for their lack of compassion and desire to continue the profit-making incarcerations without any conscience as to what it does to these men/women for the rest of their lives. Family members included. Calculating and so very cruel.

I have a suggestion to save a lot of money: Remove CCJJ and reform will manifest.

Being a former prosecutor, it is my opinion that Gov. Bill Ritter is far too conservative to remain in office. His democratic title means nothing. He is a closeted republican.

Anonymous said...

Everyone go back and re-read the fairy tale, "The Emperor Has No Clothes." This says it all, as regards CCJJ and Bill Ritter, the "Do Nothing" governor. I can't believe how stupid I was to be seduced into believing that real sentencing reform was possible under his watch. HA! YOU WILL NEVER SEE IT in his term of office. Thankk God he's got no chance in hell of getting re-elected!

Anonymous said...

酒店小姐
酒店兼職
禮服店
酒店經紀
酒店兼差
酒店打工
酒店上班
假日打工
台北酒店經紀
童裝批發
童裝批發
童裝
童裝
酒店喝酒
暑假打工
寒假打工
酒店
酒店經紀人
酒店現領
酒店經紀爆米花
酒店上班PRETTY GIRL