= Jerry Ward, 41 KNews from the
Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature
Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press
Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540
Offenders on Parole to Help "Foot the Bill"
For Immediate Release: April 23, 1998 Contact: Senator Jerry Ward at (907) 465-4940.
Juneau -- The Senate Thursday passed legislation that would require inmates who are on probation or parole to pay a fee to help subsidize the cost of their supervision. Senate Bill 274 passed by a vote of 17 to 1.
Senator Jerry Ward (R-Anchorage/Kenai), sponsor of SB 274, said correctional costs have skyrocketed in recent years. "As many as 48 states have collected some type of correctional fee. It’s time Alaska do the same. When state revenue is dropping due to low oil prices, it’s only reasonable we ask offenders to help offset the cost of their parole supervision," said Ward.
In FY 97, probation and parole cost the state $8.53 million. SB 274 calls for each inmate on probation or parole to pay three dollars ad thirty cents ($3.30) per day. The $3.30 per day fee is roughly $100 per month or approximately 45 minutes of work per day at the minimum wage rate. With more than 4600 inmates on probation or parole in Alaska, this legislation could generate over $5.5 million dollars.
In addition, SB 274 would allow for the garnishment of permanent fund dividend checks as a method of collecting probation or parole fees.
"The citizens of Alaska can not be asked to ‘foot the bill’ for criminals while more essential government services demand state resources," said Ward. "It is time that criminals literally pay their ‘debt to society.’"
Ward noted that SB 274 calls for the revocation of parole for those offenders who are unable to pay or chose not to pay. The legislation also calls for a third party to collect the probation and parole fees because correctional professionals should not be "collectors".
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Actualities are available by calling 800/478-6540.
= Jerry Ward, 41 K