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Committee discusses women’s reentry facility, correctional‑site transfers and design changes
Summary
The committee reviewed language and reports tied to replacement and reentry facilities for women, possible reuse of existing facilities, transfer of correctional property for municipal or conservation uses, and required facility upgrades tied to behavioral‑health procedures at a secure residential recovery facility.
The House Corrections and Institutions Committee reviewed multiple capital and policy items related to correctional facilities, including requirements and oversight for a proposed new women’s reentry and correctional campus, feasibility work on reusing existing sites, land transfers from older correctional properties, and a review of facility needs tied to emergency involuntary procedures at a secure residential recovery facility.
Damian Leonard of the Office of Legislative Council summarized language added to the capital act clarifying the definition of a “reentry facility,” expectations about site proximity to services and the local workforce, and reporting requirements. He told members the reentry language was heavily negotiated between chambers and that the site‑selection proposal was extended into 2025 to allow additional review. “You were very interested in seeing that it was near support services for the reentry site,” Leonard said, noting workforce continuity and access to programming were committee priorities.
The committee heard that a report on options for Salisbury Fish Hatchery (discussed elsewhere) and a feasibility update for reuse of the current women’s facility were scheduled in the bill’s reporting calendar. Leonard said a separate section requires quarterly updates on site purchase progress for the replacement and reentry facility.
On property transfers, members discussed a parcel at the former Southeast State Correctional Facility and a long‑standing agreement to transfer certain acreage to the town of Springfield for municipal use; the transcript records questions about road ownership and access that have delayed closure of the deal. The committee also discussed the previously authorized disposition of the Williston State Police Barracks and the committee’s intent language giving Williston an opportunity to report back on whether it seeks preferential purchase rights.
Separately, the bill includes new language directing the commissioner of Buildings and General Services (BGS) to report by Feb. 1, 2025, on necessary facility upgrades at the River Valley Secure Residential Recovery Facility to accommodate emergency involuntary procedures and involuntary medication rules. Leonard said the facility was originally designed without the special spaces and infrastructure that those procedures require, and the report is intended to identify any physical changes necessary if those clinical procedures are to be used at that site.
Committee members asked for clarity on timelines for required reports and who will staff follow‑up work. Staff said they will coordinate with agencies and provide members copies of reports that arrive in December and during 2025. No final decisions were made; the committee’s role at this stage is to receive reports and set follow-up hearings with DOC, BGS and other agencies as needed.
Ending: The committee signaled plans for deeper briefings with Department of Corrections, BGS and human services staff on bed counts, programming needs and facility design once reports and feasibility studies are available.
