Legislature(2009 - 2010)HOUSE FINANCE 519
02/05/2010 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB300 || HB302 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 300 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 302 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 5, 2010
1:35 p.m.
1:35:56 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Hawker called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mike Hawker, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Stoltze, Co-Chair
Representative Allan Austerman
Representative Mike Doogan
Representative Anna Fairclough
Representative Neal Foster
Representative Les Gara
Representative Mike Kelly
Representative Woodie Salmon
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Bill Thomas Jr., Vice-Chair
Representative Reggie Joule
ALSO PRESENT
Senator Linda Menard, Joseph Masters, Commissioner,
Department of Public Safety; Dan Spencer, Administrative
Services Director, Department of Public Safety; Joe Schmidt,
Commissioner, Department of Corrections; Dwayne Peeples,
Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections;
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
SUMMARY
HB 300 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS
HB 300 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration, the following departments presented
overviews:
Department of Public Safety
Department of Corrections
HB 302 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
HB 302 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
HOUSE BILL NO. 300
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government, for certain
programs, and to capitalize funds; making supplemental
appropriations; making appropriations under art. IX,
sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska; and
providing for an effective date."
HOUSE BILL NO. 302
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
capital expenses of the state's integrated
comprehensive mental health program; and providing for
an effective date."
1:36:13 PM
Co-Chair Hawker explained the general format for overview
hearings.
Department of Public Safety
JOSEPH MASTERS, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,
stated that the priority programs reflected those of
previous years, and were listed in the document, "Priority
of Agency Programs" (copy on file). The document outlined
the departments continued efforts in the areas of; law
enforcement patrol and investigation, rural law enforcement,
domestic violence and sexual assault programs, statewide
public safety programs, resource protection, and highway
safety. The increment requests in the governor's budget
related specifically to the aforementioned programs. He
relayed that the issue of sexual assault and domestic
violence was the highest priority for the department in the
coming year, followed by rural law enforcement and highway
safety.
1:41:36 PM
Commissioner Masters directed attention to the department's
budget overview power point presentation (copy on file). At
the top of each slide was the title of the board, or
council; the left side illustrated the components or
divisions, and on the right side were important highlights
pertaining to the header. Slide two of the presentation
detailed the department's divisions of boards and councils.
Slide 3, titled "Alaska State Troopers" revealed that the
troopers were divided into the following units:
Detachments
Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement
Bureau of Investigations
Bureau of Judicial Services
Bureau of Highway Patrol
Village Public Safety Officer Program
DPS Training Academy
Commissioner Masters continued with the following statistics
for 2009:
· 124,049 calls for service
· About 10 percent result in criminal cases
· 10 Homicides in 2009, 100 percent solved
· 78 open cold cases, 30 cases have been solved, 11 have
resulted in arrests for 1st degree murder, 14 are
actively being worked
· Killers Toni Lister (1982) and Bonnie Craig (1994) are
going to trial.
· Killer of Scott Coville (1988) indicted and extradited
last month.
Commissioner Masters stated that the governor's budget
request for the cold case unit was $656.5 thousand. The cold
case unit was formed in 2002 using federal grant dollars,
and had proven effective. Funding would be necessary to
ensure the continuation of the program.
Co-Chair Hawker queried the supplemental budget request for
the cold case unit.
1:45:02 PM
Commissioner Masters informed the committee that federal
funding for the unit had expired halfway through the year.
Expenses accrued during the second half of the year were the
impetus for the supplemental request. A request had been
made for the extension of the federal funds, but was not
expected to be fruitful.
DAN SPENCER, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC SAFETY, testified that the federal funding was from
an earmark grant. The department had received an extension
in the past, however, this year the request was turned down.
The department had appealed the action; the grant had
expired, but the government could provide retroactive
funding.
Co-Chair Hawker wondered if the state had been denied the
funds because the request was made too late. Mr. Spencer
stated that the funding was necessary and was supported by
the governor.
Co-Chair Stoltze wondered how serious the administration was
about funding the programs needed by the department.
1:49:27 PM
Mr. Spencer replied that there had been several elements at
play in the previous year concerning the funding of certain
programs, and it was yet to be seen how that would translate
into future funding.
Commissioner Masters added that it was the department's full
intention to capitalize on available federal funding through
the Department of Justice (DOJ). Mr. Spencer added that the
positions, authorized by the Department of Public Safety and
funded by stimulus dollars, would need continued funding.
Co-Chair Hawker reminded the committee that the general rule
surrounding the stimulus dollars was that the funding would
not be used for anything that would require continued
financial support from the state. The 5 trooper positions
and 1 additional support position, added last year, had been
the exception to the rule.
1:52:20 PM
Commissioner Masters continued to cite the statistics on
Slide 3:
· Marijuana grow operations and meth labs continue to
decline, but Heroin, and meth importation cases are
filling the void.
· Alcohol importation arrests decreased by over 26
percent. 218 arrests made
· 377 Sexual Assaults and 321 Sexual Abuse of Minor cases
· 64,731 Prisoner transports, 8,186 Arrest Warrents
served or closed, 13,796 Writs served or closed
· 770 Search and Rescue (SARs)cases assisted, 317 Saves
· 63 highway fatalities, 16 alcohol related
· 13 of 15 new federally funded PCNs vacant
· 11 Applicants just received hiring notices to begin
Academy 2/22/10
Representative Gara asked about the rise of heroin use in
the state; versus methamphetamine use.
1:53:13 PM
Commissioner Masters replied that there had been more heroin
transported into the state this year than in previous years.
Representative Gara wondered why heroin use was on the
upswing. Commissioner Masters stated that he did not know.
Co-Chair Stoltze pointed out to the committee that there was
a myriad of problems that stemmed from the production of
methamphetamine that were as destructive as the addiction to
the drug itself. He thought that the success of tackling in-
state production could have lead to increased importation.
1:55:55 PM
Commissioner Masters agreed. He stated that people who deal
drugs throughout the state would adapt to enforcement
efforts. As the department intervened in drug deliveries via
the postal service, a rise in drugs entering the state
through the Alaska Marine Highway System and the state
highway system was expected.
1:58:28 PM
Mr. Masters relayed that highway safety was a high priority
for the department. The Bureau of Highway Patrol, started
2008, was still undergoing staff hires. Five additional
troopers had been requested for this year and were expected
to be funded federally by the Alaska Highway Safety Office.
Co-Chair Hawker requested and explanation of the capital
improvement project (CIP) receipts.
Mr. Spencer explained that the Alaska Highway Safety Office
received its money from federal grants and was required to
meticulously account for all funds through quarterly and
annual reports. Co-Chair Hawker wondered about the
durability of the funding. Mr. Spencer understood that the
funding was in place for the next 5 years. Commissioner
Masters added that the office had approved the departments
plan with the expectation that the funding was secure for
the next 5 years.
2:00:56 PM
Representative Fairclough asked for clarification of the
number of prisoners transported into, and out of the state,
within the past year. Commissioner Masters replied that the
number was up 3,000 from last year. Representative
Fairclough asked if that included transportation of
perpetrators of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Commissioner Masters said that the number accounted for
arrested offenders. Representative Fairclough noted that
total expenditure of transportation had grown by $150,000 in
General Funds. She asked if transportation of prisoner
funding was provided for on the federal level. Commissioner
Masters do not believe that federal dollars were currently
available to offset prisoner transport costs. Representative
Fairclough queried whether the department had requested
enough funding for prisoner transportation. Mr. Spencer said
that the request in the supplemental budget was for
$300,000, and the reality of increasing transportation costs
were being discussed with the governor's office. He added
that varying factors involved in prisoner transportation
costs made it difficult to project into the future, but it
could be expected that costs would rise. Representative
Fairclough asked if, out of the variables, there was one
single cost that stood out. Mr. Spencer replied that the
expense was large weather commercial aircraft or aircraft
owned by the department was used. Representative Fairclough
asked if the department felt it had no control over the
method of transportation. Commissioner Masters explained
that prisoners were transported for a variety of reasons.
The prisoner may not be housed where the trial was taking
place, the prisoner may need to be transported to and from
hearings, and the court may require the transport of a
prisoner for a specific hearing or purpose. In most cases
the department did not have control over how a prisoner was
transported. He said in many cases it was inefficient, time
consuming, and costly.
2:04:51 PM
Representative Fairclough asked if the state had a contract
with Alaska Airlines. Commissioner Masters replied that
Alaska Airlines was used for most state travel. In some
cases charted planes were used.
Co-Chair Stoltze assumed that the added troopers in
Fairbanks, Palmer, and Soldotna were for command posts and
not for communities that had existing police. Commissioner
Masters replied that the special projects line were the
troopers assigned to the Bureau of Highway Patrol, and were
highway safety dedicated positions. Those positions were
based out of Fairbanks, Palmer, and Soldotna, but were not
restricted to those municipalities. Co-Chair Stoltze asked
if the emphasis was outside of the political boundaries of
areas that had existing police powers. Commissioner Masters
said that they were based at the post where there was
infrastructure to support them, and were focused
predominately on highway safety corridors.
Representative Austerman asked if every prisoner that the
state had paid to transport been charged with state
violations. Commissioner Masters replied yes. Representative
Austerman wondered how many communities in the state had
charged offenders under municipal ordinances rather than
state statutes.
2:08:58 PM
Commissioner Masters replied that Anchorage was the only
municipality that had gone to the extent of charging under
municipal ordinances.
Representative Austerman pointed out to the committee that
Anchorage was the only municipality that charged under its
own ordinances and paid their own costs. He thought that
this should be taken into consideration when discussing the
statewide budget.
Co-Chair Hawker agreed. He thought that the conversation
could become contentious between communities that received
state services and those that paid for their own protection
services. However, he believed that the conversation was
becoming increasingly necessary.
2:11:01 PM
Commissioner Masters agreed that the conversation needed to
happen.
Representative Joule stated that in two communities in his
district, Kiana and Kotzebue, voters had changed their
alcohol status from damp to wet. The hope was that the
establishments would be owned and operated by the community,
and would be a source of revenue. Kiana had recently
requested a trooper be assigned to the community as a
result. He wondered if the department was prepared to place
troopers in small communities that were becoming a hub for
outlaying communities due to the change in alcohol status.
Commissioner Masters said that the department took a variety
of different factors into account when determining the
placement of troopers in a community. Transport
capabilities, crime level, and existing positions in the
region were considered. He said that the requests for
troopers from the communities would be assessed and other
opportunities would be explored if a trooper could not be
placed.
2:15:39 PM
Representative Joule asked if the department had received
the request from the community of Kotzebue. He said he would
give the commissioner a copy of the request.
Co-Chair Hawker pointed out to the committee that the
commissioner had not answered the question.
Representative Joule felt that the commissioner had laid out
the parameters of the request from Kotzebue. He thought that
traffic in and out of Kotzebue would increase and the
community would become a "hot spot". He argued that
assigning a trooper to the area would save the state money
in the long run.
Co-Chair Hawker endorsed the concerns brought up by
Representative Joule. He thought that communities would see
an increase in alcohol related problems. He suggested that
an amendment to the budget could be in order.
2:19:00 PM
Representative Joule felt that the presence of law
enforcement could be a deterrent to criminal activity.
Representative Gara asked about efforts to decrease
incidents of driving while intoxicated (DWI), with the use
of interlock devices. It was rumored that the program was
not being implemented. Commissioner Masters did not have
information on the issue.
Co-Chair Stoltze shared that he understood that the Alcohol
and Beverage Control Board (ABC) had intended to slow the
implementation of the interlock device program in an attempt
to buy time to cope with the problem.
Commissioner Masters replied that he was not familiar with
the issue.
2:22:27 PM
Co-Chair Stoltze hoped that communities were going to be
allowed sufficient time to implement the program.
Commissioner Masters said the ABC board was working closely
with the involved communities.
Mr. Spencer pointed out to the committee that the department
had requested $100,000 to fund video arraignments, which
would reduce prisoner transportation costs in some areas.
Co-Chair Hawker spoke of the high death rate along the
Seward Highway. He asked if all safety corridors would
receive equal attention by the department. Commissioner
Masters replied that the department did not feel that
waiting for the 5 trooper positions was sufficient. The 2
positions that the department already had authorization for
were moved to Girdwood specifically to man the safety
corridor in that area.
Co-Chair Hawker Highway said that safety corridors had been
proven to work, but only with adequate levels of
enforcement. When the highway safety corridor legislation
was passed in 2006, an annual report was expected from the
Department of Transportation. Every evaluation has
highlighted the need for an increase in aviation assets for
ariel enforcement.
2:27:40 PM
Co-Chair Hawker wondered why there had not been a request
for an increase in aviation support. Commissioner Masters
replied that effective aviation enforcement needed
sufficient ground support. Current aviation assets were in
place and used during larger events. Co-Chair Hawker stated
that all of the issues were related, and that the aviation
assets could benefit from a higher profile in the budget
request. Commissioner Masters commented that aviation
requests could be found in the department's 10 year plan.
Representative Salmon queried whether the aircraft additions
would include village law enforcement. Commissioner Masters
replied no.
Commissioner Masters said that in August of 2008, the
troopers reported 42 vacancies. At this time last year there
were 22 vacancies. Currently, there were 13 vacancies, which
were solely comprised if the 15 positions added last year.
Commissioner Masters stated that the department would like
to have all budget requests met in order to fulfill the
mission and make improvements where necessary. He mentioned
that there were also budget requests aimed at continuing and
improving the information technology (IT) assets, which were
the backbone of the information sharing and communication
vital to the state. He specifically spoke of improvements to
the records management system (RMS), which would allow for
better documentation and analysis of information.
2:36:29 PM
Co-Chair Hawker asked if the requested personnel
appropriations included all the funds necessary to provide
logistical support for people in the field. Commissioner
Masters replied that some administrative positions had been
added, however, the support structure needed to be increased
for trooper and village public service officer (VPSO)
service. The 10 year plan contained an item designed
specifically to begin the discussion about issues involving
911 technologies, e-911, and cellular phone usage pertaining
to 911 in rural areas.
2:38:41 PM
Commissioner Masters explained that full dispatch centers
were run by the department and some were contracted out. In
those cases resources were available through the operating
budget request, but future 911 issues were expected.
Representative Fairclough discussed an email she had
received regarding the qualifications for 911 dispatchers.
She had been informed that the dispatchers in the state were
not required to have CPR training. She wondered why that
was. Commissioner Master replied that he would need to look
into the issue. Representative Fairclough requested that the
department get back to her office concerning the issue. She
stated that she had placed a request with legislative legal
to determine any existing liability issues.
2:42:40 PM
Representative Gara wondered why it would take 10 years to
put VPSO officers in every community. He understood that the
plan would take time and funding but argued that 10 years
was too long. He thought a 5 year plan could be considered.
Commissioner Masters replied that the governor was committed
to making the funding request for the 15 VPSO positions in
rural communities, every year, for the next ten years. The
10 year plan would give the department the ability to fill
the positions without overburdening the system and provide
for growth planning. He stated that the vision was subject
to change over the years.
2:44:46 PM
Representative Gara thought that a shorter timeline to
implement the plan would be better.
Representative Salmon cited the 7th bullet point on Page 4of
the presentation:
· Turnover rate is improving; FY07=29 percent, FY08-35
percent, FY09=14 percent
Representative Salon asked if the improvement could be
linked to salary increases. Commissioner Masters replied
that it was a combination of factors, the most significant
being the raise in benefits and wages. The consideration and
addition of a cost of living increase (COLA), was also
helpful. He thought that the renewed focus on the program
had also been beneficial.
Representative Salmon cited Page 4, bullet point 5:
· Study; 40 percent reduction in the rate of serious
injury from assault in communities with VPSO or VPO
Representative Salmon questioned the difference in the
responsibilities of a VPSO versus a Village Police Officer
(VSO).
2:46:49 PM
Commissioner Masters replied that a VPO was hired by the
local community; the primary difference was that the VPSO
was a state funded position, and was operated under the
guidelines of the contracts negotiated between the state and
the non-profits, and then agreements with the communities.
The VPOs were not. Studies had shown that the presence of
either in a community had yielded positive results. Although
VPSOs and VPOs did not investigate felonies, both initially
responded to emergencies.
2:48:39 PM
Representative Salmon asked if the VPO was qualified to
carry a firearm. Commissioner Master replied that the
community decided if the VPO could carry a firearm.
Currently, VPSOs were not trained in the use of handguns,
nor were they insured for the carrying of handguns. They
were trained in the use of shotguns, primarily for use in
animal encounters.
Representative Kelly pointed out to the committee that one
benefit to speeding up the 10 year plan was that all parties
involved agreed that the program was a legitimate government
function, and were necessary for public safety. He surmised
that more law enforcement would mean more encounters between
law enforcement officials and the public; he hoped that the
interactions were continuing to be amiable.
2:52:08 PM
Commissioner Masters replied that occasional complaints were
being made to the department concerning how law enforcement
officers interacted with civilians. He added that some
interactions went well. The department welcomed complaints.
Reports of misconduct were routinely investigated. Recently,
the department had supplied a link to the webpage that
allowed the public to lodge complaints online.
2:54:10 PM
Co-Chair Hawker asked about the department's success with
the National Geographic television channel, and the show
featuring the Alaska State Troopers. He wondered how the
program was funded. Commissioner Masters agreed that the
show has been successful. The department did not provide or
receive funding for the program. Commanders allowing access
to film crews had been instructed to ensure that the public
was properly protected, and that funds were not expended for
the sake of the program. The department had received a few
complaints about the program, and had been in talks with
producers about a more accurate portrayal of what the
troopers do. Future programs were planned, and the program
had boosted recruitment.
Co-Chair Hawker thought that showing the work that was done
by troopers on international television was an exercise in
transparency. He recalled one instance on the show that had
caused consternation concerning personal fire arms. He said
that the encounter had caused national debate on firearms
rights.
2:58:40 PM
Co-Chair Hawker shared that a man who had been pulled over
during a routine traffic check had told the trooper about
the firearms concealed in his car. The trooper had taken the
guns and run the serial numbers through the system. It had
been argued on the national level that there had been no
probable cause for the numbers to be run and that the
troopers had violated the rights of a law abiding citizen.
Commissioner Master stated that the department had yet had
the opportunity to explore the issue and become privy to the
appropriate response in that kind of situation.
3:00:52 PM
Representative Kelly requested information concerning the
episode.
Representative Joule queried weather VPSO housing was a
challenge, and if so, would become worse with the additional
proposed positions. Commissioner Masters replied that it
was, and would be, a challenge. Full cooperation of all
parties involved, on the state and federal level, would be
necessary.
3:04:35 PM
Representative Gara asked what the required population size
was for a community to qualify for a VPSO. Commissioner
Masters responded that the demand would be based on need and
not population size. Some communities of 50 were in need of
a VPSO, several of which were in areas that had seasonal
population increases.
Representative Gara questioned domestic violence prevention
plans laid out in the presentation. He was concerned that
the $381,000 for domestic violence shelters would be used to
offset increased operating costs. He understood that there
would be public service advertisements created to educate
the public. He wondered what the major service was that
would be provided in order to reduce the amount of domestic
violence and sexual assault. Commissioner Masters replied
that the governor's initiative was broad, but it was the
beginning of a 10 year plan. The increment noted was for
immediate needs. Longer-term plans included statute change,
and a focus on investigations into child sexual abuse and
child pornography. The department wanted to increase funding
to offset costs and to ensure funds for the advertizing
campaign and research funds in the base budget. He stated
that many departments played parts in the initiative, and
that coordination of all involved entities would be a
priority.
3:08:58 PM
Representative Gara asked about the loss of the 3 year
federal earmark grant that had been used in the fight
against domestic violence and sexual assault. He wanted to
know if the grant was in jeopardy, and if so, how that would
affect the department. Commissioner Masters responded that
the department had been applying for, and receiving, federal
funds through the Department of Justice, and would continue
to do so.
Mr. Spencer added that a stop grant had been received; about
$1.1 million total. He pointed out that CVSA had two sets of
funding, from the Violence Against Women Act and stop
grants. Final federal grant approval had still not been
awarded for future stop grants, but it was expected that the
funding would be available soon.
Representative Fairclough recalled trouble in Bethel with
the retention of police officers, and deficiencies in
evidence collection and storage facilities. She asked if
retention had gone up, and if some of the request for
maintenance repairs would go to the Bethel facility.
Commissioner Masters replied that the department had funding
for the maintenance and repair of the trooper building in
Bethel. He stated that the department did not participate in
the management of the Bethel Police Department. He said that
there had been an increase in the number of troopers in
Bethel. He assured the committee that the issue would be
looked into and the findings could be provided in writing at
a later date.
3:13:45 PM
Representative Fairclough asked if the City of Bethel was
responsible for the law enforcement improvement.
Commissioner Masters believed that the city was responsible
for the characterization and condition of the department and
facilities.
Mr. Spencer added that a capital appropriation had been
received last year for engineering assessments at several
posts. Bethel was next on the list.
3:15:19 PM
Department of Corrections
JOE SCHMIDT, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS,
testified that prisons in the state were crowded. He said
that immediate public protection was necessary as 95 percent
of the prisoner population would be released from jail and
reintegrated back into communities. He referred to the
"Priority Program Overview" (copy on file). He read the
department's new mission statement:
MISSION
"We provide secure confinement, reformative programs, and a
process of supervised community reintegration to enhance the
safety of our communities."
CORE SERVICES
· Provide secure confinement.
· Provide supervised re-entry.
· Provide reformative programs.
Commissioner Schmidt listed the Department of Corrections
(DOC) highlights:
· 12 Correctional Institutions with 3,722 Beds (Maximum
Capacity) including Pt. MacKenzie Farm
· Electronic Monitoring and Offender Supervision Programs
Commissioner Schmidt shared that the department worked to
use the electronic monitoring program as much as possible,
and was currently monitoring 250 offenders. The program had
not been shown to reduce recidivism, but had proven cost
effective.
Commissioner Schmidt continued with the highlights:
· Out of State Prison Contracts (900+ contract beds)
· 15 Municipal Jails (Contracted-153 Beds)
· (Bristol Bay Boro, Cordova, Craig, Dillingham, Haines,
Homer, Kodiak, Kotzebue, North Slope Boro, Petersburg,
Seward, Sitka, Unalaska, Valdez, Wrangell)
· 13 Regional Adult Probation Offices;
· 102 Probation Officer I/II/III's
· Commissioner Schmidt relayed that the department
monitored 6050 offenders out on probation.
· Commissioner Schmidt continued with the highlights:
· 6 Community Residential Centers-774
3:19:44 PM
Commissioner Schmidt stated that the funds saved by
electronic monitoring had allowed for the purchase of more
beds. When the economy failed, Arizona and other states were
closing facilities because they could not longer fund them.
The department believed that the value of a contract bed
would be changing. The department extended the contract to
buy time to explore alternatives. Interest in the contract
had been shown by the private sector and several states.
Goose Creek Correction Center was scheduled to open in March
of 2012. The Colorado system would be used as a blueprint,
both in the actual building of the structure, and the
program plan. The department was working towards a smooth
transition.
Co-Chair Hawker questioned the out-of-state contractual. He
noted that there was no change in budget request to reflect
the cost of the move.
DWAYNE PEEPLES, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS, said that the department had been below the 900
person threshold at the Arizona facility. Projected costs
remained the same as long as the number of prisoners
remained the same. Costs should be less, working out of
Denver than Tucson. Cost per day for per diem was less, and
transportation should remain even, despite inflation.
Co-Chair Hawker thought that the numbers were attractive,
but queried weather the department was being too optimistic.
Mr. Peeples said that the cost would depend on the
population numbers. This year the population had risen; last
year yielded an unprecedented decline. The decline reversed
itself in April 2009, and dropped off again in November
2009, which was an expected seasonal drop. The expectation
was that the numbers would remain the same through the next
fiscal year. Depending on internal management, the Denver
contract could hold at 900 or 925 prisoners. If the number
was exceeded, the department would request additional
funding.
Co-Chair Hawker asked how accurate the population management
numbers were in regard to electronic monitoring and
community residential centers. Mr. Peeples said that
Wildwood Correctional Center would receive 32 extra beds,
with 62 beds total being added by the beginning of the next
fiscal year. He relayed that 43 community residential center
beds had been added in Anchorage, 22 in Fairbanks. He said
that the department was very population dependent.
Representative Austerman requested clarification as to who
was funding the building of the correctional facility in
Colorado. Commissioner Schmidt said that the facility was a
management practice model for the facility that would be
build in-state.
3:28:07 PM
Commissioner Schmidt relayed that the minimum security
housing unit in Kenai would house 32 prisoners, and another
60 by early next fiscal year. He touched on the topic of
Alaskan grown and the plight of farmers within the state. He
addressed the question of why the department had not been
buying more in-state goods. He reported that the department
had crafted and agreement with the Department of Natural
Resources. The consensus was that the list of available in-
state goods would be consulted, if the item needed was
within 7 percent of what the department would spend out-of-
state, it would be purchased. Since January 11, 2010 the
department had purchased 6,000 pounds of in-state product.
The quality threshold for products was still being
determined. He hoped more would be know by the next
legislative session.
3:31:42 PM
Representative Doogan said that DOL had informed the
committee that there had been a spike in felony and other
cases in the state. He wondered why the DOC was not
concerned about the possible influx of prisoners.
Commissioner Schmidt said that the department had witnessed
a 20 percent increase in prisoners for a variety of cases.
He added that the Department of Health and Social Services
(HESS) had seen an increase in food stamp applications as
well. In 2007, DOC determined that over the next 5 years the
prisoner population would grow by 137 per year. However, the
numbers had fluctuated so much over the years that it was
decided that no dependable projection could be made. He
asserted that the department would continue to spend
allocated funding on the programs presented in the budget
request.
3:35:07 PM
Representative Doogan appreciated that the projections could
be difficult, and that the demand for services could
increase in demand.
Commissioner Schmidt said that the program plan had been
operational as of April 2009. He relayed that it was too
early in the process to determine the success of the
program.
Mr. Peeples discussed Slide 2 of the department overview.
The department was organized into three results delivery
units (RDU); Administration and Support, Population
Management, and Inmate Health Care. Slide 8 highlighted the
FY 2011 governor's request changes in Population Management
RDU. The unit included all the services and institutions of
probation and parole in one unit. The third item on Slide 8
was the request to restore funding for the bed expansion
project at the Wildwood Correctional Center. Community
Residential Centers had been added to the request list to
fund an additional 43 beds at facilities in Anchorage. The
Community Residential Center contracts called for annual
adjustments for consumer price index (CPI), up to a cap of 2
percent, which is calculated from the CPI from the federal
CPI from the prior year. The one time item request was for
the Kodiak Jail. The city was building a combined jail and
police station. The department was requesting $300,000 to
allow Kodiak to manage the new police station until the
combined center was completed. If the department failed to
offer assistance to Kodiak, the city would only be able to
hold prisoners for 24 hours, at which time the Department of
Public Safety would be required to transport the prisoners,
possibly numerous times, to the Wildwood facility.
Co-Chair Hawker reported that many complaints had been
lodged with the committee by residents of Kodiak concerning
the funding the city had received in the last year. He
queried weather the budget presented by the governor would
solve the problems presented by the city. Mr. Peeples
replied that the budget figures had been worked in
conjunction with the city of Kodiak.
Co-Chair Stoltze asked what issues had prompted the extra
incremental request. Mr. Peeples replied that it was a one-
time item, and that the city would be operating 2 jails. The
cost overruns were double what had been originally allocated
from SB65.
Co-Chair Hawker asked if the funding was legal. Mr. Peeples
understood that the legislature had the power of
appropriation.
3:43:53 PM
Mr. Peeples stated that in prior years the legislature had
continued to appropriate funds for substance abuse
rehabilitation and mental health programs. The department
was seeking no additional funds for the programs until the
programs proved effective. An additional $150,000 from the
general fund was being requested to expand the vocational
training program for inmates to train for jobs in the
construction industry.
Co-Chair Hawker asked if there was any other source of
funds, or partnership arrangement other than another general
fund increment. Mr. Peeples replied that the department was
seeking other funding sources, but at this point in time
there was no other funding source.
3:45:51 PM
Mr. Peeples discussed the last item, which was a one-time
reduction for fuel cost. He felt that the fuel cost problems
would continue, and noted that the request for additional
funding for utilities was in the supplemental.
3:47:01 PM
Representative Fairclough asked about the success of the
department's partnership with the Mental Health Trust.
Commissioner Schmidt directed the committee to Slide 11. He
stated that the Mental Health Trust funds were one-time
funding. Co-Chair Hawker added that it was a zero based
budgeting approach.
Representative Fairclough asked if the partnership could be
expanded. She wondered how many prisoners, under the care of
the department, qualified under the definition for a Mental
Health Trust beneficiary. Commissioner Schmidt replied 42
percent. He added that 18 percent had chronic, severe mental
health issues. Representative Fairclough asked if the mental
health needs of inmates could be addressed more effectively.
Commissioner Schmidt said that the department was working to
address the issue, but he thought that more help could be
provided outside of the corrections system.
3:52:16 PM
Representative Fairclough queried the department's biggest
challenge concerning utility costs. She noted that the costs
were growing,
Mr. Peeples stated that the department had made improvements
concerning utilities. They had switched to more efficient
light bulbs and limited hot water usage. The energy
consumption of the facilities had gone down, but
accelerating costs had continued across the board. He
relayed that the age and condition of some facilities had
been a factor. The facility in Fairbanks was steam heated,
and needed an immediate emergency replacement of the system.
Contractors had evaluated the Fairbanks facility and
recommended that the building be abandoned, and a new
facility built within the next 5 years.
Representative Fairclough asked if the department had done
everything possible to weatherize facilities to make them as
energy efficient as possible. Commissioner Schmidt said that
everything had been done that could be done concerning
energy efficiency in the mechanical area. He imagined that
more could be done, and that the department had made capital
project requests for repair and renovation.
Representative Fairclough asked what the department was
doing to control premium pay. Mr. Peeples responded that the
staffing model used statewide was to examine each post, in
conjunction with the site managers and the central office,
and provide 5 correctional officers for every 24 hour
security post.
Representative Fairclough inquired as to how many positions
were vacant in the department. Commissioner Schmidt said
that the average correctional officer count through 2009 was
774 for 782 positions. Turnover had been between 10 and 13
percent.
Mr.Peeples cited page 11, which contained the Inmate Health
Care RDU. In the current fiscal year budget, a $1 million
general fund request was added on the senate side to the
department's budget to fund secure detox in Anchorage. The
funds were sent by reimbursable service agreement (RSA) to
the department of Health and Social Services, as a one-time
item. The item would be eliminated from the DOC budget and
could be found in the HESS budget.
3:55:42 PM
Mr. Peeples said that other change that could be found was
the reduction of the permanent fund dividend (PFD) criminal
funds, which were collected from all felons. The money went
into a pool which was then appropriated by the legislature
to various operations. The funds had traditionally placed in
the physical health component. The PFD was expected to drop
in FY2011, which necessitated the fund source change.
Co-Chair Hawker questioned what the DOC supplemental request
for healthcare was for this year. Mr. Peeples responded $4.6
million. Co-Chair Hawker requested further explanation of
the supplemental request. Mr. Peeples stated that the
department's growth factor in inmate healthcare would need
to be revisited in the future. The inmate population had
grown significantly in the last year. The last adjustment
had been made in the inmate healthcare budget in 2009.
Projections in the area of inmate healthcare were difficult
to make, but an increase in the request for FY2011 was
anticipated. He said that there were currently 30 cases that
had raised up to $30,000; several of which could end up
totaling up to $1 million.
3:59:10 PM
Representative Fairclough asked what percentage of the
prison population qualified for other health insurance
benefits. Mr. Peeples replied that once a person became
incarcerated, all federal funds were cut off. Medicaid,
Veteran's insurance, and any other type of health insurance
through the federal government would not be paid. Most
private health insurance expired after the first 30 days of
incarceration. An increase in the budget request would be
necessary because the department funded health insurance for
prisoners independently, through general fund requests.
Representative Fairclough asked what percentage of the
prison population qualified for Indian health services.
Commissioner Schmidt answered that 36 percent of the
population was Alaska Native. Representative Fairclough
asked if the Indian health services coverage ceased upon
incarceration. Mr. Peeples replied that the Indian health
services were federally funded and would be unavailable for
the incarcerated individual.
Representative Kelly expressed frustration that when an
inmate was brought back to be housed in-state, the cost of
housing the inmate raised by 75 percent. He thought it would
be prudent to stop increasing the number of beds available
in-state. He suggested that the best practices available in
the areas of treatment and rehabilitation should be employed
to lessen the rates of recidivism, and ultimately, lower the
number of incarcerated persons in the state. He hoped a
deeper discussion of the issue would occur during sub-
committee meetings.
4:05:07 PM
Co-Chair Hawker echoed concerns about the cost of keeping
people imprisoned; rather than rehabilitating, and
releasing, them back into society. He urged the development
of diversionary programs for behavioral health cases that
would provide savings as well as a better future for the
incarcerated individual.
4:07:17 PM
Co-Chair Hawker asked what the committee could do in the
current budget cycle to empower the department to make
systemic changes. Commissioner Schmidt responded that the
department could present ideas for systemic changes and
looked forward working with the committee on the issue. Co-
Chair Hawker insisted that the redirection of policy should
not be taken as an indication that the committee was
becoming soft on crime. Commissioner Schmidt summarized that
there were "some people that we are mad at, and some people
that we are afraid of", and that the public should not live
in fear. He stated that re-entry into society was a
priority.
Representative Kelly reiterated that no more prisons should
be built in the state. The goal should be to fix the old
facilities, build the necessary one in Fairbanks, but draw
the line somewhere. He urged an examination of recidivism
rates over an extended period. Programs must work, and
produce results in the area of human safety. He felt that
the coordination and communication between involved agencies
could be improved.
4:11:40 PM
Representative Kelly believed that an important factor in
successful re-entry into society was to ensure employment
for the individual. Commissioner Schmidt said that 38,000
people a year were in and out of the system, and that the
new program plan would help 1000 prisoners per year. That
left 37,000 inmates still in the system. The department was
tracking, by name, the people who went through the program
and returned to the system.
Representative Kelly thought that a ten year projection
would be helpful in all committee conversations.
Co-Chair Hawker said that if the situation continued to
progress the department would need $1 billion in capital
investment, over the next ten years, to fund the program.
Representative Kelly stated that the issue should be handled
by the government.
4:15:16 PM
Co-Chair Hawker thought that the goal to resist building
more prisons was appropriate.
Representative Doogan shared that 2 percent of the
population was in the system at any given time. If the money
that DOC wanted to spend was extrapolated over the
population, that budget would be 12 to 13 billion dollars.
This would make prisoners the most expensive citizens in the
state. He did not believe such spending was sustainable.
4:17:42 PM
Representative Fairclough commented that a large percentage
of the prison population had mental health and substance
abuse issues. She stressed the need for rehabilitation, and
hoped that the state could work with the federal delegation
to collaborate on the issue.
4:19:45 PM
Representative Kelly shared that according to the
statistics; 92 percent of the people who were incarcerated
in the last year were either drunk or on drugs when
arrested.
4:21:12 PM
Co-Chair Hawker invited closing statements.
Commissioner Schmidt expressed appreciation for the nature
of the dialogue and looked forward to further discussion on
the issue.
4:23:36 PM
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:22 PM
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Corrections Budget Overview part3.pdf |
HFIN 2/5/2010 1:30:00 PM |
|
| DPS Overview Prioritization of Agency Programs.pdf |
HFIN 2/5/2010 1:30:00 PM |
|
| DPS Department Overview - DPS.pdf |
HFIN 2/5/2010 1:30:00 PM |
|
| Corrections Budget Overview part1 1.pdf |
HFIN 2/5/2010 1:30:00 PM |
|
| CorrectionsBudget Overview part 2.pdf |
HFIN 2/5/2010 1:30:00 PM |
|
| DPS Budget Overview Budget Changes Summary.pdf |
HFIN 2/5/2010 1:30:00 PM |