Bill > AR109

Introduced Session

This Assembly Resolution establishes the Prison Gang Violence Task Force to study security and safety issues in the State's correctional facilities. The task force is to consist of 11 members appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, as follows: two members of the General Assembly, no more than one of whom shall be from the same political party; three State correctional police officers currently serving in State correctional facilities; two retired State correctional police officers; an expert in gangs or gang-related activities; two experts in correctional facility safety and security; and one expert in correctional facility operations and administration. Among the topics and issues the task force is to study are: the availability and utilization of administrative segregation for dangerous and disruptive inmates; the availability and utilization of safety equipment and apparel for and by State correctional police officers; the adequacy of training and preparedness, particularly the level and effectiveness of Correctional Emergency Response Training (CERT); the prevalence of gangs and gang-related activities in the State's correctional facilities and the adequacy and appropriateness of the State's programs and tactics for addressing the problem; the intelligence gathering methods currently being used to uncover and thwart threats to the efficient and tranquil operation of the facility; and the State's policies and procedures for investigating incidents, disruptions, riots, and other occurrences which pose a danger or risk to the safety, security, or well-being of the employees and inmates of that facility. The task force may conduct public hearings in furtherance of its general purpose. The task force is to report its findings, along with any recommendations, to the Speaker and the members of the General Assembly no later than one year after it organizes. While the task force members are to serve without compensation, they may be reimbursed for any expenses they incur in the performance of their duties, if funds are made available. Any vacancies in the membership are to be filled by appointment in the same manner as the original appointment. The final report of the first Assembly Prison Gang Task force found a number of serious issues concerning gang violence in the State's correctional facilities that compromise the safety and security of State correctional police officers and civilian employees. In addition, a subsequent report by the State Commission of Investigation found that the number of gang-affiliated inmates continued to rise, and that these inmates utilized increasingly sophisticated methods for exploiting the security vulnerabilities of correctional facilities. These issues continue to raise serious questions about the safety and security in our State correctional facilities. This task force is being established to study these issues.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Carol Murphy (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 02/22/2024)

Official Document