AN ACT
RELATING TO CORRECTIONS; CREATING A
TASK FORCE TO EXAMINE ISSUES REGARDING THE INCARCERATION OF FEMALE INMATES,
CONDUCT A STUDY AND PROVIDE TRAINING.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF
THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--CORRECTIONS TASK FORCE‑‑MEMBERSHIP--PURPOSE--REPORT.--
A. The secretary of corrections shall develop a
task force to examine issues regarding the incarceration of female inmates, to
conduct studies and to provide training.
The task force shall consist of:
(1) the warden or deputy warden of the women's
correctional facility in Grants;
(2) a representative of the corrections
corporation of America;
(3) a representative of the women's justice
project, incorporated;
(4) a representative of the public defender
department;
(5) a district court judge;
(6) a representative of the office of health
services in the corrections department;
(7) a representative of the classification office
in the corrections department;
(8) the division director or designee for
probation and parole in the corrections department; and
(9) the mental health director of the women's
correctional facility in Grants.
B. The secretary of corrections shall designate
a chair for the task force. Members of
the task force may be reimbursed for per diem, mileage and expenses as provided
in the Per Diem and Mileage Act by filing vouchers with the corrections
department or with their own respective department.
C. The task force shall assess and evaluate:
(1) the classification system for female inmates
and the use of gender-based criteria and needs assessments;
(2) the policies and procedures pertaining to
sexual assault and harassment issues in the women's prison;
(3) the adequacy of medical services and gender
needs;
(4) the adequacy of mental health and substance
abuse and addiction treatment services;
(5) practices, policies and procedures for
reintegration and community reentry, both in the prison and as part of parole;
and
(6) gender-based differences in the use of
discipline and administrative segregation.
D. The task force shall provide training on
gender-based corrections issues for criminal justice system professionals,
stakeholders and for others who may request the training.
E. The task force shall update the recidivism
study conducted in 2001 and present the study to the house and senate judiciary
committees.
F. The task force may contract with outside
experts and specialists to conduct the studies, evaluations and training set
forth in this section.
G. Staff for the task force shall be provided by
the corrections department.
H. The task force shall present a report to the
interim legislative committee on corrections oversight no later than November
2003.
HB 582
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