SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 70

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Cynthia Nava

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT CREATE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE CONDITION OF PRISONERS IN THE NEW MEXICO PRISON SYSTEM AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS.

     WHEREAS, millions of tax dollars are spent annually on imprisoning criminals while recidividism rates remain high; and

     WHEREAS, at least one-half of all convicts are incarcerated for nonviolent crimes; and

     WHEREAS, prison environments are often overcrowded, creating health hazards and facilitating the spread of disease; and

     WHEREAS, violence is prevalent in many prisons, and many prisoners commit suicide; and

     WHEREAS, most prisoners are under the age of thirty-five, and many are women and young adults; and

     WHEREAS, the cost of incarceration in New Mexico is at least ten times the cost of probation or parole; and

     WHEREAS, effective programs and support structures can directly address recidivism and significantly reduce corrections costs; and

     WHEREAS, a disproportionate number of Hispanic, Native American and African American persons are incarcerated;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the corrections department be requested to convene a task force to study the condition of prisoners in New Mexico prisons and make recommendations for improvements, enlisting participation in the task force from the workforce solutions, public education, higher education and human services departments; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force present its findings and recommendations to the appropriate interim committee by the fall of 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretaries of workforce solutions, public education, higher education and human services.

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