Relates to failure to complete a program for time allowances due to circumstances beyond an individual's control

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic6

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Luis R. Sepúlveda says this is needed

In order to be considered for early release from prison, incarcerated people have to complete programs mandated by DOCCS. For example, a person with a drug or alcohol problem will have to take the six-month alcohol and substance abuse treatment program in prison. Someone with a violent crime might have to take the anger replacement therapy program. People who are released from prison on their merit dates go out to community supervision, where they frequently take other mandated programs similar to the ones they took while they were inside. At the time this bill was written, the COVID-19 pandemic has stopped all programs at DOCCS, because civilian staff are not being allowed in and the prisons are on lock down. It is likely that there will be six month a with no programming at DOCCS, meaning that people who would otherwise be released on their merit dates will be held longer until they have a chance to complete their programs. At other times, people are not able to take or complete programs because a teacher gets sick or retires, because the division of budget has not approved a replacement for a missing instructor or because there is a long waiting list for a program like the drug treatment program. This bill would make it clear that when people fail to complete required programs because of circumstances beyond their control, they should still be released from prison at their merit dates. DOCCS can simply require them to take the missing program while on community supervision as a requirement of such supervision. People needing drug treatment can go to drug treatment programs in the community and their participation in such programs can be monitored by their parole officers. Right now, while an epidemic is raging behind bars, it makes no sense to keep people in prison longer when they are already scheduled for release and can safely be sent home.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.