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Committee backs tougher penalties for staff who bring drugs into jails after witnesses describe overdoses and organized smuggling
Summary
The committee advanced House Bill 3464, which raises penalties for correctional employees who provide controlled substances to inmates. Jail officials and formerly incarcerated advocates testified that staff-smuggling and jail overdoses have increased and that stronger criminal penalties and investigative resources are needed.
The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice advanced House Bill 3464 on May 20. The bill increases criminal penalties for correctional facility employees who provide or possess with intent to provide controlled substances, dangerous drugs or alcohol to incarcerated persons.
Sponsor Senator Royce West summarized the committee substitute, saying the substitute “makes it a second degree felony if a person brings a controlled substance or dangerous drug into the correctional facility. If it's used and the person dies, it makes it a first degree felony.”
Law-enforcement witnesses described…
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