Session: State Capitol, Room 423 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-4940 Fax: (907) 465-3766 Interim: 716 W 4th Avenue, Suite 450 Anchorage, AK 99501-2133 Phone: (907) 269-0106 Fax: (907) 269-0109 145 Main Steet Loop Kenai, AK 99611 Phone: (907) 283-7996 Fax: (907) 283-3075

Ward Wants Supervision Costs Paid Back

(JUNEAU) - Sen. Jerry Ward (R-Kenai) introduced legislation on Friday that would recoup state parole and probation supervision costs.

Supervision of adults on parole or probation costs the state over $9.3 million a year and juvenile probation adds $6.7 million. Senate Bill 97 would require the Department of Corrections to charge these individuals $3.30 for each day of supervision. This could generate over $6.9 million a year from the adult and juvenile programs to help cover administrative costs.

As parolees are required to work as a condition of their release, they would have income to cover the fee. SB 97 would allow the state to garnish paychecks and Permanent Fund Dividends as a method of collecting the fees, and would allow parole revocation for those who refuse to comply.

Since 1846, many states have successfully funded their corrections programs with such fees. The State of Texas funds over half of its probation and parole program through fees. With correctional costs skyrocketing, the idea that offenders should contribute to their own supervision has gained widespread political and public support.

"It is important to understand that these fees are not intended to be punitive measures, like fines or restitutions," said Ward. "It is simply a way to help recuperate some of the costs that the people of Alaska incur from probation and parole supervision."

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Attachments:

• Sponsor Statement for SB 97
• Print Friendly Version
  requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - 1 page(s) - 101 K

| Sen. Ward's Page |

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