A special legislative study committee eyeing recidivism in the state’s prisons is recommending more studies.
But before the Recidivism Interim Study Committee approved two bills calling for more studies of the issue, it approved a proposed bill to create another panel to come up with a definition of “recidivism,” one that all state agencies could use.
The proposal calls on the Division of Criminal Justice to form a “working group” to come up with a detailed definition that would make it easier to use data related to the matter to address the efficacy of current procedures and policies.
The other two bills center on further study of the reasons why some people end up behind bars again and again.
“Time and time again, data has shown us that the most successful strategies to decrease crime are comprehensive approaches,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, sponsor of all three bills. “Our new legislation will bring in diverse voices and provide the necessary resources to take a close look at the efficiency of Colorado’s criminal justice system and, going forward, will help us determine more holistic methods to decrease crime and help Coloradans successfully reintegrate into their communities.”
The first study bill would create the Alternative Metrics to Measure Criminal Justice System Performance Working Group.
By July 2025, it would study metrics and methods other than recidivism to measure risk-reduction outcomes and life factors that influence successful outcomes, and more effectively determine the efficiency of the criminal justice system.
The second study measure calls on the division to examine how individuals proceed through the stages of criminal and juvenile justice proceedings, including sentences and alternative sentencing programs, and make recommendations for creating a more efficient system.
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