HB613: amending the procedures for use of segregated housing for inmates.

HB 613-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

3Jan2018... 2445h

2017 SESSION

17-0735

04/10

HOUSE BILL 613-FN

AN ACT requiring the state prisons to be accredited correctional facilities..

SPONSORS: Rep. E. Edwards, Hills. 11; Rep. Myler, Merr. 10; Rep. Bartlett, Merr. 19; Rep. Luneau, Merr. 10; Rep. Heath, Hills. 14; Rep. Backus, Hills. 19; Rep. H. Marsh, Rock. 22; Rep. Schleien, Hills. 37; Rep. Murray, Rock. 24

COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill requires the commissioner of the department of corrections to initiate an audit to ensure that all state correctional facilities are accredited.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

3Jan2018... 2445h 17-0735

04/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen

AN ACT requiring the state prisons to be accredited correctional facilities.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Subparagraph; Department of Corrections; Powers and Duties of Commissioner. Amend RSA 21-H:8, II by inserting after subparagraph (i) the following new subparagraph:

(j) Ensure that all state correctional facilities are accredited correctional facilities that meet the standards of the American Correctional Association.

2 Department of Corrections; Audit of State Correctional Facilities. The commissioner of the department of corrections shall initiate the process necessary to have all state correctional facilities audited by the American Corrections Association for the purpose of obtaining accreditation of such facilities no later than July 1, 2019.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

17-0735

Amended 1/16/18

HB 613-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2017-2445h)

AN ACT requiring the state prisons to be accredited correctional facilities

FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None

Estimated Increase / (Decrease)

STATE:

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

Appropriation

$0

$0

$0

$0

Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Expenditures

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Funding Source:

[ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ ] Other

METHODOLOGY:

This bill would require the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections to ensure that all state correctional facilities are accredited by the American Corrections Association (ACA) no later than July 1, 2019.

The Department of Corrections indicates costs associated with accreditation would include a triennial accreditation fee, on-site technical assistance, additional training and the cost of any mock audits to assess readiness of the facilities. On-site technical assistance and mock audits would occur during the initial accreditation period to assure timely accreditation. The Department estimates it would incur the following expenditure to achieve accreditation of its facilities in FY 2019:

Facility

Technical Assistance

Mock Audit

Accreditation Audits

Facility Total

NH State Prison for Men, Concord

$4,500

$6,500

$13,500

$24,500

NH Correctional Facility for Women, Concord

$4,500

$6,500

$13,500

$24,500

Northern NH Correctional Facility, Berlin

$4,500

$6,500

$13,500

$24,500

North End House Transitional Housing Unit, Concord

$4,500

$6,500

$9,000

$20,000

Calumet House Transitional Housing Unit, Manchester

$4,500

$6,500

$9,000

$20,000

Shea Farm Transitional Housing Unit, Concord

$4,500

$6,500

$9,000

$20,000

Adult Probation and Parole Field Services, Various Locations

$4,500

$6,500

$9,000

$20,000

Concord Transitional Work Center

$4,500

$6,500

$9,000

$20,000

Compliance Oriented Training

$7,000

Commission on Accreditation Hearings – Held at ACA Conferences $1,500 per attendee

$3,000

Estimated Cost of Services for Accreditation from ACA

$183,500

The Department would need two Supervisor I positions at labor grade 19 and would pay for accreditation audit and renewal every three years. The total determinable costs are shown in the table below:

Determinable Costs

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

Two Supervisor I Positions. Salary, Benefits and related costs.

$136,000

$138,000

$144,000

$152,000

Initial Accreditation

$183,500

$0

$0

$0

Accreditation Renewal (FY 2023)

$0

$0

$0

$0

Total:

$319,500

$138,000

$144,000

$152,000

In addition to the determinable costs, the Department anticipates there would be other costs that are not known or identified at this time and may be required to achieve accreditation. These costs may be significant and could require the Department to seek additional funding from the Legislature to supplement the operating or capital budgets. The accreditation renewal would include an audit and would occur every three years at a cost of $85,500 starting in FY 2023.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Corrections