HCS HB 144 & 46 -- PRISONER RELEASES AND ESCAPES

SPONSOR:  Hosmer (Bonner)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Criminal
Law by a vote of 12 to 0.

This substitute requires law enforcement officers, jailers, and
the Department of Corrections to conduct a check for outstanding
warrants on all prisoners, whether convicted or being held on
suspicion of charges.  Prisoners may not be released or
transferred before a check has taken place.  Failure to do so is
a class A misdemeanor.

The substitute also increases the penalty for aiding in the
escape of a prisoner being held in custody or confinement on the
basis of a felony charge or conviction from a class D to a class
B felony.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of
$2,256,891 in FY 2002, $2,378,156 in FY 2003, and $2,463,130 in
FY 2004.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill is necessary to bring
accountability to all corrections personnel and to bring
uniformity to all corrections facilities' procedures.
Additionally, supporters say that the penalty for aiding in the
escape of a prisoner needs to be increased as a deterrent to
committing the crime, and because offenders are plea-bargaining
down to a misdemeanor.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Bonner, Monaco, and
Relford; Gina Gerdes; Susan Robel; Attorney General's Office;
and Department of Corrections.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:42 am