BILL #    HB 2167

TITLE:     independent corrections ombudsman; oversight                   committee

SPONSOR:    Blackman

STATUS:   As Introduced

PREPARED BY:    Ryan Fleischman

 

 

 

Description

 

The bill would establish an Office of the Independent Corrections Ombudsman whose duties would include producing reports, inspecting all Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) facilities biannually, monitor capital improvements, investigates and attempts to resolve complaints from inmates and staff, provide technical assistance, and other responsibilities. 

 

Estimated Impact

 

The bill appropriates $1.5 million from the General Fund yearly from FY 2022 through FY 2026.  We estimate that this appropriation is sufficient to fund the Office.

 

Analysis

 

The Office of the Independent Corrections Ombudsman proposed by the bill would have several duties pertaining to oversight of ADC.  Among other responsibilities, the Ombudsman would monitor confinement conditions, collect and respond to inmate and staff complaints, and inspect correctional facilities including those under contract with ADC.  The bill permits the Ombudsman to hire staff and enter into contracts.  The bill appropriates $1,500,000 from the General Fund annually each fiscal year from FY 2022 through FY 2026.

 

To evaluate the reasonableness of the appropriation, we looked at offices with similar responsibilities in other states.  Please see Table 1 below for the data from Arizona and other states. 

 

Table 1

 

State Corrections Ombudsman Spending

 

 

 

State

FY 21

Expenditure

State Population 1/

Corrections Population

 

Washington

           $ 1,200,000

   7,600,000

       17,000

 

Michigan

               1,000,000

10,000,000

       38,500

 

Minnesota

                  655,000

   5,600,000

          8,300

 

Arizona

                                

   7,300,000

       40,000

 

________________

1/   Population figures based on 2019 Census estimates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using the statewide population as the basis for funding, we estimate that $900,000 annually would match appropriations in other states.  Using the correctional population, however, would produce an estimate of $2.4 million annually.  The average of these 2 proportional estimates is about $1.6 million.  Based on this estimate, the $1.5 million appropriation appears reasonable.

 

Local Government Impact

 

None

 

1/21/21