Assumptions:
2. This Act would create a new
criminal offense, “Crime Against a Vulnerable Adult”, which would impose
enhanced penalties in more than 50 criminal offenses if the victim is a
vulnerable adult. The penalty of each
crime would go up by one level or class up to a Felony D; there would be no
enhanced sentencing for offenses which are already a Felony A, B or C as
amended. In addition, the amended
version would only allow the underlying charge or the “Vulnerable Adult” charge
to be prosecuted and sentenced (not both).
Vulnerable persons are defined as persons with mental or physical
limitations or disability.
3. The Statistical Analysis Center
(SAC) has reviewed this legislation for jail/prison bed space impact. A study by the Criminal Justice Council with
the assistance of SAC entitled “Persons with Disabilities as Victims of Crime,”
found that there were approximately 1,000 police calls involving victims with a
disability in 2009. The study found that
persons with disabilities are no less likely to be victimized than the
remainder of society, even for more serious crimes.
4. If 20% of those 1,000 police calls
resulted in a perpetrator getting the enhanced sentencing, SAC estimates that
there would be an increase of up to 8 beds for the Department of Correction.
5. The cost of housing a Level V
inmate is approximately $6,200 for medical and food service costs. The total cost per bed is $33,250 when
staffing and debt service costs are included.
6. No inflation is assumed.
COSTS:
F.Y. 2011 Department
of Correction bed impact: Up to 8 beds
Operational
impact: Up to $49,600
F.Y. 2012 Up to $49,600
F.Y. 2013 Up to $49,600
Office
of Controller General
(Amounts are shown in whole dollars)
June 7,
2010
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