Sec. J-1. Corrections alternatives study. The Department of Corrections shall conduct a study that identifies the costs, benefits and cost savings associated with alternative corrections service delivery options.
1. Advisory committee established. The Corrections Alternatives Advisory Committee, referred to in this Part as "the advisory committee," is established to guide the development of the study of corrections service delivery options. The advisory committee is not a decision-making body, but serves to provide advice and information to the Department of Corrections. The advisory committee consists of the following members:
A. The Commissioner of Corrections and 2 state corrections officials designated by the commissioner;
B. A representative of a statewide association of county commissioners nominated by the association and appointed by the Governor;
C. A representative of a statewide association of county sheriffs nominated by the association and appointed by the Governor;
D. A representative of a statewide association of county jails nominated by the association and appointed by the Governor; and
E. A municipal representative appointed by the Governor.
The Governor shall ask the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court to serve as or to name a designee to serve as a member of the advisory committee.
The advisory committee shall consult with labor unions representing both state and county employees and keep them informed regularly throughout the development of the study.
2. Appointments; chairs; meetings. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this Part. The Governor shall appoint 2 cochairs from among the membership of the advisory committee, one representing the Department of Corrections and one representing county government. The cochairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the advisory committee no later than 15 days after the appointment of all members. The advisory committee may meet as often as necessary to accomplish its work.
3. Duties of advisory committee. The advisory committee shall oversee the development of a study that identifies the costs, benefits and cost savings associated with alternative corrections service delivery options that may include, but are not limited to, improved collaboration between State Government and county government and regionalization opportunities and cost reductions.
In reviewing each option, the advisory committee shall consider costs, benefits, improved economies of scale, effective management of bed space, appropriate staffing levels and equal or improved program and service delivery. The advisory committee shall analyze the options with the goal of achieving efficiencies and managing the cost of correctional services at both the state and county levels. In conducting the study the advisory committee shall consider, but is not limited to, the following issues:
A. The restructuring of county jails;
B. The establishment of a decision-making process to approve the construction and financing of new correctional facilities;
C. The establishment of criteria for the use of an incentive fund established to further the recommendations of the study;
D. The level of state funding of county jails to include the existing funding through the community corrections laws and the County Jail Prisoner Support and Community Corrections Fund; and
E. Increased funding of cost-effective correctional service delivery through the directing of other state revenues to fund the incentive program.
The cost of the study may not exceed $300,000.
4. Report. The advisory committee shall submit interim reports and proposed recommendations to the Intergovernmental Advisory Group, established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, section 2181, for its review. The Intergovernmental Advisory Group shall coordinate the solicitation of public comment. The Department of Corrections shall deliver its final report with recommendations and proposed implementing legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and to the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government no later than January 1, 2006.
5. Corrections Incentive Fund recommendation. The Commissioner of Corrections shall submit proposed legislation establishing a Corrections Incentive Fund to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government no later than February 1, 2006. The purpose of the proposed Corrections Incentive Fund is to achieve significant and sustainable savings in the cost of delivering correctional services by funding proposals that are consistent with the final study recommendations. The proposed legislation must also include a provision for evaluating the effectiveness of the incentive fund and a requirement to sunset the fund unless there is sufficient evidence presented by the Department of Corrections to continue the fund.
Sec. J-2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
CORRECTIONS, DEPARTMENT OF
Administration - Corrections 0141
Initiative: Provides funds to conduct a study that identifies the cost and benefits and cost savings associated with alternative corrections service delivery options.
GENERAL FUND 2005-06 2006-07
All Other $300,000 $0
__________ __________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $300,000 $0
Juvenile Community Corrections 0892
Initiative: Reduces appropriations to offset cost of a study that identifies the cost and benefits and cost savings associated with alternative corrections service delivery options.
GENERAL FUND 2005-06 2006-07
Personal Services ($300,000) $0
__________ __________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL ($300,000) $0
CORRECTIONS, DEPARTMENT OF
DEPARTMENT TOTALS 2005-06 2006-07
GENERAL FUND $0 $0
__________ __________
DEPARTMENT TOTAL -
ALL FUNDS $0 $0
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