SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 85

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

H. Diane Snyder

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS CONDUCT A STUDY AS TO THE EFFICACY AND EFFICIENCY OF THE ASSIGNMENT OF CERTAIN PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS.

     WHEREAS, probation and parole officers from the corrections department embrace the goal of making supervision a safe alternative to incarceration for the entire community; and

     WHEREAS, the second judicial district drug court has used probation and parole officers from the corrections department since the drug court's inception in 1995; and

     WHEREAS, probation and parole officers from the corrections department are not employed full time in the second judicial district drug court; and

     WHEREAS, probation and parole officers who work in the drug court impose immediate sanctions for violations of program rules under the active supervision of the second judicial district drug court judges, and must therefore be closely involved with personnel from the second judicial district drug court; and

     WHEREAS, the success of the probation and parole officers assigned to the second judicial drug court could be undermined by the lack of direct institutional ties or a clear supervisory chain of command;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the administrative office of the courts be requested to conduct a study of the most effective means of assigning the probation and parole officers who are employed by the corrections department but assigned, at least part time, to the second judicial district drug court; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study consider the financial consequences of shifting the employment assignment from the corrections department to the second judicial district and consider, simultaneously, the impact on the employment and retirement benefits and other consequences of reassignment; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the administrative office of the courts consult with both the corrections department and the second judicial district court in preparation of a report to be presented by October 1, 2005 to the interim legislative committee that studies corrections issues; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report discuss the merits of transferring employees from the corrections department to the second judicial district as well as discussing consequences to probation and parole officers of such a change of administration, including the impact of such a reassignment on salary, promotion and retirement options of probation and parole officers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be sent to the director of the administrative office of the courts, the chief judge of the second judicial district and the secretary of corrections.

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