Incarcerated presenters urge transparency, merit‑based classification and more program access to reduce DOC capacity pressures

Two incarcerated representatives appearing for 'Legislation Inside' told the Joint Judiciary Committee that Colorado’s Department of Corrections capacity problem is rooted in classification and case‑management practices that emphasize elapsed time and security assignments over merit and documented readiness for community placement.

Speakers cited high proportions of incarcerated people who are past their parole eligibility date and argued that many would be safely supervised in community settings if case plans and program access were clearer and more reliably implemented. They urged removal of nondiscretionary classification overrides, better use of risk assessments for individualized case planning, elimination or expansion of arbitrary caps (for example, on earned‑time accrual), and stronger transparency so referrals and program wait lists are visible to legislators and advocates.

They also highlighted limited meaningful work, apprenticeship programs and correctional industries that once provided pathways to employment; presenters said many current work options pay low wages and do not create sustainable community readiness or savings for returning citizens.

The presenters urged the committee to use existing legislative authorities and oversight mechanisms to increase DOC accountability, improve program access (some waiting lists were described as multiple years long), and prioritize merit‑based progression to lower custody and transitional placements that can reduce the incarcerated population without new prisons.