Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
05/12/2022 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB123 | |
| HB297 | |
| HB163 | |
| HB118 | |
| HB268 | |
| HB87 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 234 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 123 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 297 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 87 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 47 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 163 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 118 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 268 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 118-EXPANDING PRISONER ACCESS TO COMPUTERS
4:04:58 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of CS FOR HOUSE BILL
NO. 118(STA)(efd am) "An Act relating to state identifications
and driver's licenses for persons in the custody of the
Department of Corrections; relating to the duties of the
commissioner of corrections; relating to living conditions for
prisoners; and providing for an effective date."
4:05:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHATHAN KREISS-TOMKINS, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of HB 118, stated that the
bill is the result of informational hearings the House State
Affairs Committee held in conjunction with the Department of
Corrections to address recidivism and recidivism reduction.
There was complete agreement that it was in the best interest of
Alaska and society to have lower rates of offense and a few
changes could promote that outcome. He continued the
introduction of HB 118 speaking to the following sponsor
statement:
The intent of this bill is to remove the restriction
prohibiting a prisoner from possessing a computer in
their cell, expanding access to safe and secure
internet for purposes of rehabilitation and
reintegration, and provide prisoners with easier
access to state identification upon release.
HB 118 creates an easier process of reentry and
rehabilitation for inmates and lessens the risk of
reoffending. By allowing access to safe and secure
internet, inmates are better able to prepare
themselves for reentry into the outside world.
According to a study released by the Department of
Justice, 68% of prisoners are arrested again within
three years, 83% during the following nine years. One
of the key reasons for reoffending is the difficulty
prisoners face securing employment post incarceration.
Access to online job training, therapy and visitation
helps to alleviate the risk of reoffending.
Another important element of this bill is it provides
easier access to identification for prisoners upon
release, allowing them an important tool for
reintegration. Both expanding internet access for
prisoners and providing prisoners with easier access
to state identification help ease the difficulties of
reentry and will help to lower the risk of recidivism.
CHAIR SHOWER asked if there were questions for the bill sponsor.
SENATOR COSTELLO offered her understanding that the legislature
had passed legislation that stipulated that anyone who is
released from incarceration will be provided a state ID.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS said he wasn't aware of that, but
he would defer to the representative from the Department of
Corrections (DOC).
4:08:36 PM
KELLY GOODE, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Corrections (DOC), Anchorage, Alaska, stated that
there is nothing in statute that requires DOC to ensure that
prisoners have obtained a state ID before they are released from
prison. However, the department generally tries to help
individuals understand the process for getting a state ID after
they're released. It is in statute that DOC must provide a
voucher that individuals can take to DMV to pay for their
license or state ID.
SENATOR KAWASAKI referenced Section 3 and said it looks like the
existing statute says
(a) The commissioner shall
(11) assist a prisoner in obtaining a valid state
identification card if the prisoner does not have a
valid state identification card before the
prisoner's release;
He asked if that is what has been happening and if HB 118 places
sideboards on exactly what must be done.
MS. GOODE offered her view that it's the opposite. The "shall"
in the existing language refers to the voucher system, which
ensures that DOC provides an avenue for anyone who needs a state
ID to receive one. She added that the commissioner looked at
this extensively last year and learned that the number of people
who are released and do not already have an ID is very small.
She also reminded the committee that a significant number of
individuals who are incarcerated suffer from mental illness and
some of those individuals will never want an ID. Others have
alternative IDs that they prefer to use.
MS. GOODE said she believes the sponsor's intent is to ensure
that the Department of Corrections (DOC) works with the
Department of Administration (DOA) to find more ways to ensure
that prisoners being released have IDs if they want one.
CHAIR SHOWER requested the sectional analysis.
4:12:34 PM
CLAIRE GROSS, Staff, Representative Jonathon Kreiss-Tomkins,
Juneau, Alaska, read the sectional analysis for HB 118, version
I.A into the record.
Section 1
AS 18.65.310 Identification Cards
Amends AS 18.65.310 to require that the Department of
Administration (DOA) mail a state identification card
to a Department of Corrections (DOC) address upon
request by an applicant who is serving an active term
of imprisonment of more than 120 days.
Section 2
AS 28.15.101 Expiration and Renewal of Driver's
License
Amends AS 28.15.101 to require that the DOA mail a
driver's license renewed by mail to a DOC address upon
request by an applicant who is serving an active term
of imprisonment of more than 120 days. This section
does not require the DOA to issue new driver's
licenses
Section 3
AS 33.30.011 Duties of Commissioner
Amends AS 33.30.011 to require the DOC Commissioner
and the DOA Commissioner to make a good faith effort
to ensure prisoners serving an active term of
imprisonment of more than 120 days have a state
identification card upon release.
Section 4
AS 33.30.015 Living Conditions for Prisoners
Amends AS 33.30.015(a) by deleting the word "computer"
from the list of items a prisoner may not possess in
their cell, and by adding language to allow prisoners
to use a computer for purposes that facilitate their
rehabilitation or compliance with a reentry or case
plan, for legal reference materials, visitation, or
health care.
Section 5
AS 33.30.095 Duties of Commissioner Before Release of
Prisoner
Amends [AS 33.30.095] by requiring the program to
provide instruction on obtaining a state
identification if one or more prisoners will not
otherwise possess a valid state identification card
upon release.
Section 6
Establishes an effective date of January 1, 2023.
CHAIR SHOWER asked Ms. Gross to go over the fiscal note.
MS. GROSS stated that the Department of Corrections (DOC)
submitted a zero fiscal note for HB 118. DOC will be able to use
current technology to implement the bill. The analysis includes
the following statement:
Coordination with DOA regarding state identification
cards for prisoners can also be accomplished with no
fiscal impact. Therefore, a zero fiscal note is being
submitted.
4:15:37 PM
CHAIR SHOWER commented that it seems as though there would be
some cost associated with additional computer use and that
brings up the need to ensure they are secure and don't allow
access to such things as pornography.
He asked Ms. Goode to comment.
MS. GOODE said inmates already have access to computers in the
law library and education rooms. The bill doesn't affect those
computers. The bill addresses a computer in a cell. The No Frill
Prisons Act from the 1990s stated that an inmate could not have
a computer in their cell. DOC does not intend to have computers
in cells, but would like the ability to offer tablets that are
specially made for inmates. There is no cost because this would
go through the procurement process, and the inmate would pay for
their use, unless they were indigent. In that case, DOC would
pick up the cost. The system would be as safe as possible
because these special tablets have an internal wireless system
that is managed and monitored. The idea is to allow an inmate to
do things from their cell such as take an education program, an
anger management program, or finish their GED. The cost is
contained in the program itself.
CHAIR SHOWER asked who manages and monitors the system and if
there wouldn't be a cost to go through an RFP to a vender.
4:19:15 PM
MS. GOODE confirmed that DOC would go through the RFP
procurement process. A number of companies in the Lower 48
provide this service. The cost will be picked up by the inmates
who will pay to use the tablets. DOC has not implemented this in
the individual cells but could have them in general population
areas.
CHAIR SHOWER asked if the usage was already in the DOC budget.
MS. GOODE answered no; the inmates would pay for the tablets
when they pay to use the system.
CHAIR SHOWER asked how the inmates would pay.
MS. GOODE replied that would be determined based on the
procurement process, but it would work the same way that inmates
currently pay for phone calls.
CHAIR SHOWER asked how the inmates pay.
MS. GOODE replied there are several options. Many inmates work
at jobs within the facility and their earnings are booked and
available for use in the commissary, to make phone calls, and to
make orders that are within policy. Many inmates also receive
outside funding from any number of sources.
CHAIR SHOWER said he assumes that indigent prisoners would be
accommodated.
MS. GOODE answered yes, just as indigent inmates are
accommodated now with phone calls.
CHAIR SHOWER remarked that he believes this is an important part
of the rehabilitation process that may help to lower recidivism
rates.
4:23:13 PM
CHAIR SHOWER asked the sponsor if he had any additional
comments.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS agreed with Ms. Goode that use of
these special tablets would be handled in the same way as the
prison phone call system, and that there is precedent from other
states about the successful use of these tablets in correctional
facilities.
CHAIR SHOWER asked what percentage of inmates are anticipated to
want to use one of these special tablets, and if there is any
data on how this may affect recidivism.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS said that would be a good question
for the reentry community.
CHAIR SHOWER said it'd be nice to have that data from other
states.
He asked Ms. Goode what percentage of the prison population DOC
envisions might take advantage of this program.
MS. GOODE said she didn't have any data but anecdotal evidence
from other states that have implemented tablets is that there is
significant interest. She wasn't aware of data about recidivism,
but it's probably a good tool for inmates.
CHAIR SHOWER commented that his experience going through reentry
training made him aware of how difficult it is to succeed and
how easy it is to fail.
SENATOR COSTELLO noted the January 1, 2022 effective date needed
to be updated.
4:27:48 PM
At ease
4:28:42 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting and held HB 118 in
committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| W.A.12.pdf |
SSTA 5/12/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HB 234 |
| 22-237lme.pdf |
SSTA 5/12/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HB 234 |
| 22-126boo.pdf |
SSTA 5/12/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HB 234 |
| W.A.8.pdf |
SSTA 5/12/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HB 234 |
| W.A.9.pdf |
SSTA 5/12/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HB 234 |
| W.A.10.pdf |
SSTA 5/12/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HB 234 |
| W.A.11.pdf |
SSTA 5/12/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HB 234 |
| HB123 B.pdf |
SSTA 5/12/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HB 123 |
| hb297 support Tammie Wilson.pdf |
SSTA 5/12/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HB 297 |