WHEREAS, the prison system in the state of Washington is experiencing severe overcrowding; and
WHEREAS, in order for the correctional system to plan adequately for current and future facilities, it is necessary to project and forecast prison populations; and
WHEREAS, the area of criminal justice needs the immediate attention of state government; and
WHEREAS, no single state agency can address the totality of criminal justice issues facing the state;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, John Spellman, Governor of the state of Washington, hereby resolve that an interagency criminal justice work group be established to:
(1) provide a coordinated interagency system for prison population forecasting and projection;
(2) bring numerous state agency resources to beat on the management of criminal justice issues;
(3) Review and make recommendations an operational strategies and approaches to address problems facing the system;
(4) Provide for the sharing of information on which operational decisions can be made; and
(5) Complement the work of the Sentencing Guidelines Commission.
The Interagency Criminal Justice Work Group consists of the following individuals:
Amos Reed, Secretary, Department of Corrections (Chairman)
Joe Taller, Director, Office of Financial Management
Alan Gibbs, Secretary, Department of Social and Health Services
William Henry, Chairman, Board of Prison Terms and Paroles
Charles Robinson, Chairman, Jail Commission
A Representative from the Judicial System
A Representative from the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys
The Work Group may also request support from other individuals or groups as it deems appropriate.
The Office of Financial Management will serve as lead for the projection/forecasting task, including the development of recommendations concerning data system improvements.