Budget Plan Would Let Corrections Officials Collect More Fees From Ex-Offenders

The state Legislature’s budget committee has approved a measure that will make it easier for the Department of Corrections to collect supervision fees from offenders on parole and probation.

The change would eliminate restrictions on how much the DOC can charge offenders for their supervision. These fees have generated between $8 million and $9 million a year. DOC officials say without the restrictions, they will now be able to collect more.

Madison Democratic Rep. Chris Taylor tried unsuccessfully to block the change, arguing that most offenders fresh out of prison have little or no income.

“Because some of these people are not going to be able to pay,” said Taylor. “They can pay something, but they not be able to pay as much as we would like, at least initially. At least it should be based on something they can pay it, because if not the cycle’s just going to continue.”

DOC hasn’t decided yet whether it will charge a flat fee or allow some offenders to work off the fee through community service.

Under the old system, the DOC set varying fees for supervision based on an offender’s ability to pay, usually ranging from $20 to $60 a month. The goal has been to collect at least a dollar day to offset the cost of supervision.

Taylor’s failed motion to leave the system as it is also included a requirement that offenders pay restitution costs to their crime victims before paying their supervision fees. Republican Rep. Rob Hutton is drafting a bill now to address that issue. Current state law prevents restitution to a victim from taking precedence over an offender’s’ supervision fees.