Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pre Release Center Women topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances bill to create women's pre‑release center, expands eligibility to 36 months
Summary
The Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 187 on April 9, voting 13‑5 to establish a women's pre‑release center, extend eligibility from 18 to 36 months before release and include those with minimum security status; members debated security features including potential fencing.
The Judiciary Committee on April 9 voted 13‑5 to advance Senate Bill 187, which would establish a state pre‑release center for women and expand who may be eligible for placement.
The amended bill replaces the term "re‑entry" with "pre‑release," extends the eligibility window from 18 months to 36 months before an incarcerated woman's anticipated release date, and explicitly includes people with pre‑release or minimum security status. The amendments also adjust requirements for site selection, facility capacity, services to be provided, and timelines for planning, construction and reporting.
Committee members pressed sponsors and staff on security and the facility's physical design. Delegate McConkey said she was concerned about the safeguards for people in the facility and asked whether residents would have curfews and other guardrails; she requested clarity on how the facility would function day‑to‑day. The Chair acknowledged those concerns and described the intent to mirror best practices used in other programs operated by the Division of Corrections and Public Safety.
For the record, the Chair clarified the security implications of including minimum security residents: "I just wanted to clear that for the record... there will be fencing because it is minimum security status," she said, adding that the bill does not prescribe a specific security layout but that some perimeter and security measures are possible.
Supporters said the broader eligibility is intended to allow more women access to programs described in 3‑305 of the subtitle — including career services and reentry planning — so participants can receive services earlier in their transition back to the community. Sponsors also urged limiting further amendments to avoid delaying passage; several members said the Senate is awaiting the bill's return.
The committee adopted the amendments and voted in favor of the bill, 13‑5 (one member absent). The measure will return to the floor with the adopted changes for further consideration.
