2007 Legislative Changes Affecting Corrections Professionals- Click here for the pdf version.

Legislative Update - Click here.

The Minnesota Corrections Association (MCA) was established in 1933 and today represents approximately 1,000 professionals working in probation, supervised release, jails, correctional facilities, residential and non-residential programs from county, state, federal and private agencies.  MCA is the oldest and largest corrections association in the state of Minnesota and is an affiliate of numerous national criminal justice organizations. The following is presented as the MCA legislative agenda/position paper for 2007-2008.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Corrections professionals throughout Minnesota provide for the safe and secure incarceration of offenders as well as the supervision of offenders in the community as directed by the courts.  The high quality of services provided by these dedicated professionals is clearly evidenced through incarceration and recidivism rates that are among the lowest in the nation.  Recently enacted legislation directed toward assuring public safety will strengthen Minnesota’s position as a leader in sound correctional policies and practices.  Maintaining public safety at these high levels requires that legislators pay attention to the following areas of need:

• Integration and implementation of Evidence Based Practices.
• Caseload/workload Reduction. Current caseload sizes exceed recommended standards and the numbers of offenders continues to rise.
• Prisoner Re-entry issues and transitional housing needs require immediate attention.
• Drug Courts require sufficient funding and state support for existing programs and the development of new Drug Courts.
• Housing of short-term offenders in local facilities shifts the financial burden to the local level and strains local corrections resources beyond their capacity. 
• Adequate programs for the treatment of repeat DWI offenders and for long-term treatment programs for methamphetamine and other drug offenders.
• Juvenile Out-of-Home placement costs have risen to levels that cannot be afforded.
• Both Adult and Juvenile Mental Health initiatives for offenders with mental health needs.

MCA supports the creation of an alcohol impact fee/alcohol tax to provide needed funding for probation services and treatment programs for offenders.

State mandates on Sex Offender sentencing and supervision should be adequately funded.

MCA supports an early retirement option for Probation Officers and Correctional Agents.

MCA annually reviews its legislative priorities and, from time to time, may establish a position statement on various issues.  The 2008 Legislative Agenda has position statements on the following issues:

• Adult Certification for 13-Year Olds
• Citizen Personal Protection Act
• Capital Punishment
• Extended Juvenile Jurisdiction (EJJ)
• Methamphetamine Policy
• Prisoner Re-Entry
• Sex Offender Sentencing and Supervision
• Short-Term Offenders
• Transitional Housing for Offenders

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Calvin Saari 
MCA Legislative Committee Chair
218-885-1375

LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS:

Adult Certification

Capital Punishment

Citizens Personal Protection Act

Extended Juvenile Jurisdiction (EJJ)

Methamphetamines

Prisoner Re-Entry

Sex Offender Sentencing and Supervision

Short-Term Offenders

Transitional Housing for Offenders

USEFUL LINKS:

• MN State Legislature
• Contacting a Legislator  
• Find Your Legislator
• Statues, Session Laws and Rules
• How a Bill Becomes a Law
• Following a Bill
• Researching Legislative Issues 
• Contact MCA's Legislative Committee