Judiciary Hearing focuses on Criminal Justice issues, KSP Lab Needs and Penal Code & Parole Reform ============== From the Public Advocates Office : Recently enacted HB 463 has saved the state millions, reduced costs to taxpayers and decreased court time. And theres more we can do. Key points include: * we can save millions by addressing the high number of low risk inmates * these low risk inmates have a high risk of future criminal behavior due to exposure to high risk inmates * creation of lower level misdemeanor categories & write citations or violations - not incarceration Also heard from KSP Crime Lab Director on successes for dropping turnaround times for various criminal analysis. However, with 30 yr old equipment & increasing drug caseloads, much is needed to continue these positive trends.,In DNA cases for example, it will take $5M and 5 yrs and more space to increase capacity & reduce turn around times. Ky receives $650-750K/year in federal grant dollars for DNA casework. These results are now returned in 4 hours vs. what had been 2 days. Secretary J. Michael Brown then provided the committee with a review of our state Penal Code and Parole Reform: We like TALKING about changing the Penal Code, and have been for 40 years! We also have an indeterminate sentencing structure which means its the Parole Board which determines when an inmate is released. Secretary Brown made a compelling argument for Truth in Sentencing and for certainty and transparency in sentencing. Of particular concern is the apparent arbitrary nature of Parole decisions in the state.
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 22:07:21 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015