SB136 (companion to HB 149 already recommended by this committee and passed by the House) is a common sense measure that reduces costs, enhances public safety, and most importantly, gives returning citizens the ability to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities in a positive way. Probation, particularly excessively long probation, continues to punish people who have already completed their sentences in a facility. If someone is complying with the terms of their probation and making sustained progress toward education, employment, and any necessary treatment for substance abuse or mental health, they should be able to EARN early termination. This allows probation officers to reduce supervision of lower-risk cases and focus their attention on individuals who posed the greatest need and risk, enhancing public safety. This bill also reduces costs in a fiscal climate where we should be spending money to give people a hand up, not continuing to push them down. Without the endless restrictions of probation, individuals can be better contributors to our economy, communities, and families. This bill provides courts and probation officers with another tool to improve supervision outcomes and enhance community safety. RECOMMENDATION - make the bill more specific about what happens if ending supervision is denied after 12 months. Presumably probation would have to recommend ending supervision EVERY 12 months but the bill is not explicit on this point. I don't trust the DOC to continue recommending every 12 months unless the law says they have to.
SB136 (companion to HB 149 already recommended by this committee and passed by the House) is a common sense measure that reduces costs, enhances public safety, and most importantly, gives returning citizens the ability to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities in a positive way. Probation, particularly excessively long probation, continues to punish people who have already completed their sentences in a facility. If someone is complying with the terms of their probation and making sustained progress toward education, employment, and any necessary treatment for substance abuse or mental health, they should be able to EARN early termination. This allows probation officers to reduce supervision of lower-risk cases and focus their attention on individuals who posed the greatest need and risk, enhancing public safety. This bill also reduces costs in a fiscal climate where we should be spending money to give people a hand up, not continuing to push them down. Without the endless restrictions of probation, individuals can be better contributors to our economy, communities, and families. This bill provides courts and probation officers with another tool to improve supervision outcomes and enhance community safety. RECOMMENDATION - make the bill more specific about what happens if ending supervision is denied after 12 months. Presumably probation would have to recommend ending supervision EVERY 12 months but the bill is not explicit on this point. I don't trust the DOC to continue recommending every 12 months unless the law says they have to.