Measure relaxes criminal oversight

OLYMPIA – Criminals convicted of some violent, drug or property crimes may be released from community supervision programs early under a bill passed by the state Senate on Friday.

The measure, approved on a 38-8 vote, would remove authorities’ watchful eyes from low-risk offenders after six months of supervision, provided they do not commit more crimes. The bill now heads to the House, where leaders say they haven’t yet looked at it.

People convicted of crimes such as manufacturing methamphetamine, kidnapping and even murder could be cut loose from community supervision under the bill. But those purged from state oversight are not likely to be repeat offenders – the nature of the crime as well as the convict’s history will be taken into account when assessing risk levels.

Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, who sponsored the bill, said cutting costs and unnecessary workers was important, considering an estimated $6 billion state budget deficit through 2011. The level of supervision that low-risk offenders have under these programs is minimal, he said.

“Can I say none of the people removed will ever commit a crime? No, I can’t,” Hargrove said. “But the level of supervision they receive makes no difference.”

Hargrove’s bill is one of a number of criminal justice cost-cutting measures lawmakers are considering. It has the backing of state sheriffs and prosecutors, he said.

The measure could potentially save the state close to $33 million, and would cut about 190 government jobs.

Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, said the bill would cut important government jobs.

Sheldon’s district includes portions of Grays Harbor County, an area reeling from the closure of two Weyerhaeuser mills. Sheldon said the two correction officer jobs that would be eliminated in his district if the House approves the measure are important for public safety.

“It makes me so nervous to see community correction workers cut … when they look in the faces of offenders it may save somebody’s life,” he said.

This is not the first time the Legislature has proposed cuts to criminal supervision. In 2003, tough budget circumstances forced lawmakers to scale back the same offender oversight program. Those cuts would be expanded if the current efforts are passed by the Legislature.

Sen. Dale Brandland, R-Bellingham, a former county sheriff, said the bill would absolve authorities of liability if a criminal under their supervision were to reoffend.

“The level of supervision for these offenders was pretty low anyway. What we were doing was giving people a false sense of security,” he said.