Colorado Lawmakers Pass Bills to Address Overcrowded State Prisons
Colorado lawmakers have passed two bills and are considering a third to address the state's overcrowded prison system. The prison population has increased by 19% since 2021, despite a decrease in crime rates. Governor Jared Polis has suggested reopening up to two prisons to manage the overflow. The new legislation aims to reduce the number of incarcerated individuals by altering parole and sentencing guidelines. Senate Bill 158 allows the parole board to release individuals who committed felonies under the age of 21, while Senate Bill 159 changes how earned time is calculated for certain prisoners. A third bill, Senate Bill 36, proposes that the parole board consider more releases when the prison system reaches a new overcrowding threshold. However, these measures may not be sufficient to meet the state's capacity needs, as the Department of Corrections projects a 12% decrease in paroles this fiscal year.