Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote on a motion to declare a bill inexpedient to legislate that prohibits the Department of Corrections from entering into a contract with a private entity for the custody of inmates, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections from entering into a contract with a private or for-profit entity for the custody of state or county inmates (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the Commissioner to enter into a temporary contract with a private or for-profit entity to secure provisional housing for displaced inmates if the governor declares by executive order that a corrections emergency exists (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that a temporary contract shall be for no more than 3 months and may be extended for no more than 3 months at a time, and prohibits the contract from extending past 21 months after the governor first determines that the prison emergency exists (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that temporary contracts shall not permanently or indefinitely replace the Department’s correctional facilities or contracts with other publicly operated facilities (Sec. 2). 

• Authorizes the Commissioner to order the assignment and transfer of individuals in his or her custody to correctional facilities operated by state governments in other jurisdictions, or public facilities under contract with the Department (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the Department of Corrections from entering into a contract with a private entity for the custody of inmates, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections from entering into a contract with a private or for-profit entity for the custody of state or county inmates (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the Commissioner to enter into a temporary contract with a private or for-profit entity to secure provisional housing for displaced inmates if the governor declares by executive order that a corrections emergency exists (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that a temporary contract shall be for no more than 3 months and may be extended for no more than 3 months at a time, and prohibits the contract from extending past 21 months after the governor first determines that the prison emergency exists (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that temporary contracts shall not permanently or indefinitely replace the Department’s correctional facilities or contracts with other publicly operated facilities (Sec. 2). 

• Authorizes the Commissioner to order the assignment and transfer of individuals in his or her custody to correctional facilities operated by state governments in other jurisdictions, or public facilities under contract with the Department (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text