worked with the Department of Corrections in formulating the sanctions and felt that the
recommendations complimented the Department of Corrections' plan. He emphasized that the
goals of the Sentencing Commission are public protection and providing judges with more
sentencing alternatives. He noted that although the Sentencing Commission identified several
needs in the area of intermediate sanctions, it recognized budget realities and prioritized only the
most urgent needs.
Mr. McConkie gave a brief review of the following specific recommendations: 1) more
day reporting centers; 2) half-way house for probationers; 3) privatizing presentencing
investigations; and 4) more drug courts. He noted that not all the recommendations would
necessarily require additional funding, but that goals could be met through prioritization and
reallocation of funds. He suggested that while the state continues to build needed additional
prison space, it should also increase intermediate sanctions.
4. Reducing Crime and Recidivism: Recommendations from Members of the Utah Judiciary - Judge Michael L. Hutchings, Third District Court, presented his ideas on reducing recidivism and crime in Utah. He distributed copies of two articles he had published in the Utah
Bar Journal during the past year: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Crime and Punishment in Utah and Another Vietnam: Salt Lake's War On Crime. He said currently Utah has the eleventh highest non-violent crime rate in the United States. Utah ranks seventh in property crime and
second in larceny and theft. He felt that a lot of the crime was attributable to gangs. He noted
that Utah has the lowest rate of incarceration and percent of state budget, 2.5 percent, utilized on
corrections of any of the western states.
Judge Hutchings said the Legislature needs to define policy and set goals and should
exercise leadership and accountability. He distributed a list of recommendations for legislative
action in the January 1998 General Session. He suggested appointing a crime czar to coordinate
efforts of all agencies fighting crime. An independent group of analysts with no vested interest
in the outcome of the analysis could be established under the direction of the crime czar. This
"think tank," funded by state dollars and private contributions, would generate reports and
analyses of current programs, finding better ways to fight crime.
Other recommendations made by Judge Hutchings included: 1) increasing prison
capacity; 2) adding more treatment, learning, and work programs; 3) expanding misdemeanor
probation; 4) equalizing salaries of correctional officers; 5) removing predatory juveniles from
the state; 6) expanding drug and alcohol treatment programs; 7) increasing the number of judges,
court staff, and probation officers; 8) creating a state-funded gang task force; and 9) hiring
additional law enforcement officers.
Ms. Michelle Arciaga, Salt Lake Area Gang Project, represented Judge Andrew Valdez.
She indicated there is a small percentage of repeat offenders that circulates continually through
the juvenile system, taking a lot of time and energy of law enforcement and social service
entities. She reported that Judge Valdez would like jurisdiction over parents of these delinquents
so that he has authority to order parents to do certain types of activities that will contribute to
reducing the child's delinquency. Many times parents feel inadequate to deal with the child's
delinquency, and they can receive the help they need through mental health counseling, family
skills management classes, and substance abuse treatment programs. She said intervention must
begin at an early age so the delinquent behavior may be stopped before the child becomes an
adult.
5. Utah Correctional Industries - Richard A. Clasby, Director of Utah Correctional Industries, distributed copies of the Utah Correctional Industries report and financial statements
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997. Mr. Clasby said the mission of Utah Correctional
Industries is to provide work and training for offenders, in order to increase employment
opportunities upon release from prison. Revenues generated to further the mission come from
the sale of products and services it provides. He pointed out that the budget is a projection of
what the sales will be; Correctional Industries does not ask for an appropriation from the
Legislature, but is receptive to legislative intent language.
Mr. Clasby noted that in 1985 there were 221 inmates participating in the program or
approximately six percent of the inmate population. Today there are 856 inmates, or nearly 18
percent, participating in the program. Utah ranks second among the states in percentage of
inmates employed. He said significant effort has gone into expanding and developing
Correctional Industries programs. All the expansion and development has been through
resources generated by the 27 separate businesses operated in the program. The staff to inmate
ratio in the program is one to ten.
He noted that a major indicator of whether inmates will fail is the quality of job they
secure upon release. No matter what other problem inmates have, if they cannot support
themselves they will quickly fail. The highest recidivism rate occurs during the first few weeks,
drops fairly rapidly, and flattens out at about three years. A big contributor to reducing
recidivism is the educational level and job skills the inmate develops.
The yearly financial statement indicated that last year's sales were $10.7 million with
approximately $4.5 million for materials. Utah Correctional Industries have shown a small profit
which goes to developing new programs.
6. Other Items/Adjourn - Rep. Killpack noted that the committee had received valuable information in the meeting and expressed the committee's appreciation to the participants.
MOTION: Rep. Hogue moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:32 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.