CO - Additional funding to address the lack of appropriate placement for individuals who have been found incompetent to stand trial
Spike CO
$34 million to address competency issues
Polis also requested additional funding to address the lack of appropriate placement for individuals who have been found incompetent to stand trial and are unlikely to be restored to competency.
In recent months, a state policy governing people found incompetent to proceed to trial has come under scrutiny after several cases in which individuals accused of violent crimes were released back into the community following such determinations. Some have reoffended after their release.
In November, Polis announced the state will invest up to $12 million to fund additional commitment beds for individuals declared incompetent to proceed to trial.
“When individuals are found incompetent to proceed and pose a danger to themselves or others, they should not be released to the street,” he said. “They need secure commitment, including services and supports in order to protect public safety.”
The governor is requesting approximately $160 million and money for another 151.8 full-time employees over the next three fiscal years to fund community-based supervision resources and opportunities for individuals found incompetent to proceed to trial.
“My administration is committed to working with the General Assembly and stakeholders to make progress to strengthen our competency system so that individuals have better assessments of restorability and the support they need to thrive without falling through the cracks,” Polis said.