Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance
committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports
if they are used for other purposes.
Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are a vailable on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).
Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not. Previously issued FIRs and
attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.
F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Sanchez, M.
ORIGINAL DATE
LAST UPDATED
1/26/08
HB
SHORT TITLE Correctional Facility Library Materials
SB 379
ANALYST Peery-Galon
APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)
Appropriation
Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY08
FY09
$100.0
Recurring
General Fund
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Adult Parole Board
New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 379 appropriates $100.0 from the general fund to the Education Bureau of the New
Mexico Corrections Department for self-help, motivational and leadership library materials what
shall be purchased from New Mexico-based publishers whenever possible.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of $100.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any
unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2009 shall revert to the
general fund.
NMCD states there is probably no or only minimal fiscal impact on the department. However, if
the materials purchased pursuant to the bill result in lower recidivism rates for inmates who
utilize the materials, it could slightly decrease the department’s prison population and
probation/parole caseloads.
pg_0002
Senate Bill 379 – Page
2
Based on FY06 actual expenditures, the average annual cost to incarcerate an individual in a
NMCD correctional facility is $31,239, and the average annual cost of probation and
parole/community corrections client is $1,343.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
Adult Parole Board states the proposed legislation sounds like it would be of benefit to NMCD
by increasing resources and could be of benefit to the inmate population by encouraging self-
help and motivation. Adult Parole Board notes the hope is that this will decrease recidivistic
behavior and encourage reintegration.
NMCD states such material, if properly utilized by inmates, could result in lower recidivism
rates and in inmates who are better motivated and better behaved while in prison. NMCD notes
the appropriation would enable the Education Bureau to purchase materials in an amount or
quality that it would not otherwise be able to purchase under its current budget.
PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS
NMCD states the materials could help improve the Education Bureau’s services to inmates, and
could help the bureau reach and educate a larger number of inmates. Inmates not in formal
education classes could still utilize the materials and benefit from them.
RPG/nt