BILL NUMBER: S7607A

SPONSOR: SALAZAR
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the correction law, in relation to notifying the press
and public of the death of an incarcerated individual or any other indi-
vidual occurring in the custody of the department of corrections and
community supervision

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill amends the correction law to require the Department of
Corrections and Community Supervision to notify the press and the public
within 24 hours of the death of an incarcerated individual or any other
individual occurring in an institution operated by the department,
through press release and posting on the department's public website.
The bill further requires the same notification by local correctional
officials in regard to deaths in local correctional facilities.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

              

Section 1 amends the correction law by adding a new section 17 which
requires the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to
promptly notify the press and the public of any deaths that occur in
institutions operated by the department within 24 hours. The purpose of
this section is to ensure transparency and accountability regarding
deaths within correctional facilities and other institutions under the
department's operation.

Section 2 amends the correction law by adding a new section 511 which
requires local correctional officials to promptly notify the press and
public of deaths that occur in local correctional facilities.

Section 3 provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

This bill promotes transparency and accountability within the
corrections system, allowing for public oversight. Research has consist-
ently shown that transparency is vital in maintaining trust and prevent-
ing abuses of power within institutions. A 2019 survey conducted by the
National Institute of Justice found that increased transparency in
correctional facilities is associated with lower rates of violence and
misconduct.

Transparent reporting enables prompt investigations into the causes and
circumstances surrounding deaths, facilitating the identification and
resolution of systemic issues that may jeopardize prisoner welfare.
Research by the Vera Institute of Justice has shown that transparent and
accountable correctional systems tend to exhibit lower rates of
violence, better healthcare outcomes, and increased rehabilitation
opportunities.

 
AMENDED BILL

The "A" print of the bill adds a provision to impose the same require-
ments on local correctional officials as the original version imposed
solely on state correction officials.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.