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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Chasey

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

02/08/07

HB 526

SHORT TITLE Gender-Specific Correctional Training Program

SB

ANALYST Geisler

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

$50.0

Recurring

General

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to: HB 527

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Commission on the Status of Women

Department of Health (DOH)

Department of Corrections (DC)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 526 would appropriate $50,000 to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

for developing best practices, curriculum and training for gender-specific programs in public and

private correctional facilities for personnel serving incarcerated women and girls. Any

unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY08 shall revert to the general

fund.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation in HB 526 in not contained in the executive budget request.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

Corrections notes that gender-specific programming may ultimately lead to better programming

for female offenders, and thus lower recidivism rates. In addition, the Department has already

consulted with the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) about gender-based programming.

House Bill 526 – Page

2

The females at the New Mexico Women’s Correctional Facility (NMWCF) have already been

receiving gender specific programming. A formal curriculum has been developed and is waiting

to be implemented at the Camino Nuevo Correctional Center as soon as an amendment to the

Project Impact Program Contract has been completed. NIC previously provided two technical

assistants to review the programming available to females at both female facilities. Both

indicated that they were impressed with the gender specific programming currently provided to

incarcerated females at NMWCF. Corrections is awaiting a NIC report (containing

recommendations for additional gender-specific programming) that may be received within the

next few months.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

CSW anticipates one staff member would be required to research best practices, determine and

write the curriculum, “test" the curriculum with a relevant population, and adjust the curriculum

accordingly. Coordination and communication with Corrections and CYFD personnel/trainers to

account for relevant policy-related information into the curriculum.

RELATIONSHIP

HB 526 relates to HB 527 which appropriates $50.0 thousand to New Mexico Sentencing

Commission to study gender specific probation and parole models.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

DOH notes that gender-specific programming refers to services developed and/or targeted to

either males or females. Research has found that girls' risks for delinquency are amplified by the

presence of: sexual and/or physical abuse, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, poor academic

performance, and mental health needs. To strengthen their resistance against delinquency, girls

need physical and emotional security, positive female role models, and a sense of belonging and

competency that may be different from what boys need.

Proponents of gender-specific programming for girls argue that programs developed for boys do

not seem to work for girls. Evaluations of programs for girls are increasing in number but are

still relatively uncommon. Continued research is important, as girls represent a growing number

of those involved in juvenile justice. Some recommendations and principles for program

development have emerged from literature. These include:

•

tailoring programs to the unique needs of girls;

•

involving girls in service decisions;

•

using female staff;

•

connecting girls with mentors;

•

providing staff training on gender-specific programming;

•

addressing the needs of pregnant/ parenting girls;

•

defining gender-specific programming;

•

using local data to develop approaches and considering issues with rural jurisdictions.

GG/csd