HOUSE MEMORIAL 120

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Gail Chasey and Antonio "Moe" Maestas

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING YOUNG WOMEN UNITED TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE RISKS AND NEEDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STATE'S POPULATION OF INCARCERATED WOMEN AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE ON HOW BEST TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THOSE RISKS AND NEEDS.

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico prison population forecast reported in 2016 by the New Mexico sentencing commission shows that the state's population of incarcerated women continues to grow significantly; and

     WHEREAS, the incarceration of women presents unique concerns, and the risks and needs associated with incarcerated women should be addressed with consideration of those concerns, risks and needs; and

     WHEREAS, the entire population of incarcerated women in the state's prison system was recently moved out of a privately operated facility and into two state-operated facilities, presenting an opportunity for careful consideration of how the risks and needs of incarcerated women can best be identified and addressed;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that young women united, an organization focused on policy issues impacting girls and women in New Mexico's criminal justice system, be requested to: 

          A. convene a task force to identify and study the risks and needs associated with women incarcerated in New Mexico with a particular emphasis on gender-specific programming and ensuring that women are incarcerated for no longer than required by law and that they are appropriately transitioned to housing in community-based settings as provided in Section 33-9-5 NMSA 1978 and timely released when eligible; and

          B. facilitate meetings of the task force; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include, among others:

          A. women whose expertise in the incarceration of women was gained through the experience of being incarcerated;

          B. representatives from organizations that serve women who are involved with the criminal justice and corrections systems;

          C. persons with expertise in the legal rights of incarcerated persons; and

          D. representatives from the corrections department and county detention facilities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to

develop recommendations on how to identify and address the risks and needs associated with incarcerated women; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to present its recommendations to a legislative interim committee focused on courts, corrections and justice issues on or before November 1, 2017; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the executive director of young women united, the secretary of corrections and the president of the New Mexico association of counties.

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