The commission is authorized to introduce legislation related to sentencing to the First Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature.

Sec. 36. Review of probation caseload. No later than July 1, 2004, the Department of Corrections, Adult Community Services Division shall direct each probation officer to review that officer's own caseload to identify and proceed with those cases appropriate for early termination. An application for early termination must include the reasons for recommending early termination. The victim and the prosecuting attorney must be notified of the filing of the application. Judges and prosecutors are urged to give deference to these applications. The department shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over criminal justice and public safety matters by February 1, 2005 on the numbers of applications for early termination that were filed, the number of cases that were reviewed by the court and the number of cases terminated from July 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004.

Sec. 37. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

CORRECTIONS, DEPARTMENT OF

Charleston Correctional Facility

Initiative: Provides funds to increase the capacity to provide some relief for overcrowded conditions and correctional staff working overtime. Funding will allow the opening of 50 beds at the Charleston Correctional Facility.

General Fund 2003-04 2004-05

Positions - Legislative Count (0.000) (15.000)

Personal Services $0 $864,806

All Other 0 126,876

________

General Fund Total $0 $991,682

Maine Correctional Center