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Bill would create dedicated unit to write pre‑sentence reports for serious crimes (SB 89)
Summary
Sen. Laura Smith sponsored SB 89 to add a Department of Corrections unit of 14 FTEs to produce higher‑quality, timely pre‑sentence investigation reports for sex and violent offenders; proponents said the measure would reduce sentencing delays and improve placement decisions while opponents asked for more data and raised fiscal questions.
Senator Laura Smith (West and Northwest Helena; sponsor) told the Senate Judiciary Committee that Senate Bill 89 creates a new unit in the Department of Corrections to handle pre‑sentence investigations (PSIs) for sex and violent offenders. Smith said PSIs are detailed, time‑consuming reports that include victim interviews, mental‑health and chemical‑dependency evaluations, criminal history, collateral contacts and other records judges use to structure sentences and treatment.
The bill would fund 14 full‑time positions (PSI writers) in the Department of Corrections to produce consistent, higher‑quality PSIs and reduce the workload on probation officers, who currently manage PSIs on top of caseloads that committee testimony described as commonly ranging from 70 to 100 felony probationers per officer.
Proponents included Kelsey Young of the Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and Scott Twito (Department of Justice representative to the Criminal Justice Oversight Council). They argued that timely, thorough PSIs improve sentencing, victim participation, placement into appropriate programs and overall public safety. Twito said that timely PSIs could reduce pressure on jails and downstream population flows and recommended a data‑driven approach.
Department of Corrections Director Brian Gootkin (spelled in the transcript as Gookin/Goodkin) and other DOC staff participated as informational witnesses; DOC said it expects a 30‑business‑day target for PSIs if the unit is fully staffed and that quality would improve because dedicated staff could focus on PSIs instead of field supervision.
Senators asked about the current average time to complete PSIs and about measurable recidivism or outcome data; DOC said it is building an innovation unit and a desistance coordinator to start measuring outcomes. At least one committee member noted a preliminary fiscal estimate of roughly $1.2 million for the new positions in discussion during the hearing.
Why it matters: PSIs shape sentencing and programming; backlogs or low‑quality reports can delay sentencing and affect placement decisions. The bill proposes a targeted operational investment intended to speed production and raise consistency for high‑risk case types.
The hearing closed with the sponsor asking the committee to consider the bill; no committee vote was recorded in the transcript.
