By Christopher N. Osher
The Denver Post
DENVER — Colorado corrections officials are asking lawmakers for $1 million a year to finance a fugitive unit to hunt down parolee absconders, who are fleeing supervision at an increasing rate.
In the past two years, nearly 3,500 parolees have absconded from supervision, and many go on to commit new crimes, according to documents in support of the budget request submitted by the Colorado Department of Corrections to top legislators.
About 21 percent of those who absconded in 2011 and 14 percent of those fleeing in 2012 already have been apprehended for new crimes, data show.
The Joint Budget Committee, which sets funding priorities for the legislature, will consider whether to fund the fugitive unit. If approved by the committee, the request won’t need final approval from other lawmakers because Gov. John Hickenlooper’s administration is forwarding the proposal as an emergency supplemental request.
If approved, an annual appropriation beginning at $1 million would pay for a new supervisor, nine parole officers and training and equipment.
Full story: Funding sought for Colorado fugitive parolee unit in wake of killings