Thread by @Marshall9News

An interim legislative committee on prison population is meeting on the impact of last week’s Denver City Council vote to end contract w/private companies GEO & CoreCivic, which house ~500 inmates transitioning out of prison. It’s had uncomfortable moments. #coleg #copolitics

Public Safety Director Stan Hilkey, DOC Director Dean Williams, Denver Public Saefty Chief Troy Riggs and Denver Deputy Director Eric Williams are on the hot seat answering tough questions by prison population management committee.

Hilkey started with worst case scenarios:
•Influx of triple digit inmates being returned to state prisons (which don’t currently have enough beds)
•Detainees could be released homeless
•Detainees might walk away versus return to prison
#coleg #copolitics

DOC Director Williams detailed 180 male prison beds available, 100 female, but that includes max security and mental health facilities. #coleg #copolitics

DOC Director Williams said he didn’t realize the private halfway house contracts in Denver was an issue until the day before. “Wasn’t on my radar.” #coleg #copolitics

When asked about the impact on victims of the detainees who could be released or sent back to prison, @directorriggs said “We’re certainly concerned about public safety and how it could be affected.” #coleg #copolitics

Chairing the committee, @leslieherod said sending people back to prison is concerning to her. She asked if a special session would be needed if the solution was to find additional prison beds. 🤷🏼‍♂️ #coleg #copolitics

How fast could these detainees go through parole process instead? A couple weeks or months. #coleg #copolitics

As another option, @leslieherod asked if ankle monitoring would be possible. Turns out GEO is the parent company of the ankle monitoring. #coleg #copolitics

Tonight on #HeyNext: Why should you care about the ripple effect of Denver city council’s vote on ending contract w/private halfway house providers. What’s a halfway house? Why did that vote lead to an uncomfortable #coleg hearing? What is the impact on my safety? #copolitics