HOUSE MEMORIAL 47

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Gail Chasey

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CONTINUE THE WORK OF THE TASK FORCE CONVENED IN 2008 TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF CREATING AN INDEPENDENT ENTITY TO OVERSEE NEW MEXICO'S CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

     WHEREAS, the legislature directed the attorney general to convene a task force to study the feasibility and effectiveness of creating an independent entity to oversee New Mexico's correctional facilities; and

     WHEREAS, the task force was convened and held an organizational meeting in December 2007; and

     WHEREAS, the task force toured the central New Mexico correctional facility in Los Lunas and the New Mexico women's correctional facility in Grants; and

     WHEREAS, the task force heard from a nationally recognized expert on prison oversight about the need for transparency and accountability in order to create a safer environment for inmates, staff, visitors and administrators; and

     WHEREAS, the task force still needs to review multiple models for implementation in order to identify and implement the most appropriate and effective design for New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, long-term planning for the development of an independent oversight entity must include a realistic appreciation for the state's current fiscal limitations;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the attorney general be requested to continue the work of the task force to study the feasibility and effectiveness of forming an independent entity to oversee the status and conditions of New Mexico's correctional facilities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to develop a long-term plan for the creation of an independent oversight entity that includes specific benchmarks for implementation and recommendations for specific sources of revenue to support the work of that entity; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to report its findings to the appropriate interim legislative committee no later than November 2011; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the attorney general.