March 3, 2015, Michael Sanderson, MACo Executive Director, testified in support of HB 388, to the House Judiciary Committee.  This bill establishes a Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council. This council would work to develop a policy framework to reduce spending on corrections and reinvest in strategies to increase public safety and recidivism. MACo Policy Analyst Natasha Mehu testified on the cross file of this bill, SB 602, last week.

From the written testimony:

MACo believes that the proposed Council will be well-served by a representative from a local detention center. Public safety is the third largest component for county spending. The primary purpose of local detention centers is to hold individuals awaiting trial or those sentenced for less than 18 months. Increased incarceration and longer sentences have left local detention centers overcrowded and overburdened.

For more on MACo’s 2015 legislation, visit the Legislative Database.