Parole; Department of Corrections to report on pilot study use of risk assessment instrument. (SJ31)

Introduced By

Sen. Toddy Puller (D-Mount Vernon)

Progress

Introduced
X
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Study; uniform risk assessment tool for parole determinations; report. Requests that the Department of Corrections study the fiscal and administrative impacts of implementing a uniform risk assessment tool for parole determinations. View Full Text »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

  • 01/04/2008 Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/08 083126304
  • 01/04/2008 Referred to Committee on Rules
  • 02/01/2008 Reported from Rules with substitute
  • 02/01/2008 Committee substitute printed 087312304-S1
  • 02/04/2008 Reading waived (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
  • 02/05/2008 Read second time
  • 02/05/2008 Reading of substitute waived
  • 02/05/2008 Committee substitute agreed to 087312304-S1
  • 02/05/2008 Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SJ31S1
  • 02/06/2008 Read third time and agreed to by Senate by voice vote
  • 02/06/2008 Communicated to House
  • 02/11/2008 Placed on Calendar
  • 02/11/2008 Referred to Committee on Rules
  • 03/03/2008 Left in Rules

Comments

Frances Smith writes:

By mandating the use of a validated risk-assessment instrument to predict a person's risk to public safety in every release decision, policymakers can maximize the benefits of discretion while maintaining the sort of objectivity that mandatory sentencing guidelines provide. An objective, validated risk-assessment instrument is a far more effective way of measuring risk than a parole board officer's subjective evaluation, and it allows for more informed and appropriate clinical decision-making related to release and conditions of release. There are many states that have a validated risk-assessment instrument that is working and it greatly out weighs the cost.

Bill Twine writes:

North Carolina utilizes a similar tool. From what I've heard, the Virginia Parole Board has a similar tool at its disposal but chooses to ignore it.