SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 97

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

INTRODUCED BY

Michael S. Sanchez

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING A STUDY OF ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR INCARCERATION OF INMATES IN LOCAL DETENTION CENTERS WHO ARE CONVICTED OF FELONIES AND WHO ARE SERVING PARTIALLY SUSPENDED SENTENCES.

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico sentencing commission participated with the New Mexico association of counties in a study of the cost of housing inmates charged with felonies in New Mexico detention facilities; and

     WHEREAS, the study shows that the estimated annual cost of housing inmates convicted of those crimes is approximately three million three hundred thousand dollars ($3,300,000) per year; and

     WHEREAS, local governments need additional funding to offset the costs associated with housing inmates, especially those serving sentences that are suspended to less than one year;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of finance and administration and the taxation and revenue department be requested to conduct a study that identifies methods of improving the statewide system of alternative incarceration in local detention centers for inmates convicted of felony charges who are incarcerated in local detention facilities and who are serving sentences that are suspended to less than one year; that identifies requirements necessary to generate revenues for those methods; and that reflects the ongoing costs to local detention facilities of housing inmates; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the administrative office of the courts, the public defender department, the New Mexico sentencing commission and the corrections department cooperate with the department of finance and administration and the taxation and revenue department in the study; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of finance and administration and the taxation and revenue department provide a written report of their findings and recommendations with respect to the study to the appropriate interim legislative committees by September 1, 2005; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of the written report be filed in duplicate with the legislative council service library; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of finance and administration, the secretary of taxation and revenue, the director of the administrative office of the courts, the chief public defender, the secretary of corrections and the New Mexico sentencing commission.

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