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2023 SESSION
23101512DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 19.2-316.4 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 19.2-316.4. Eligibility for participation in community corrections alternative program; evaluation; sentencing; withdrawal or removal from program; payment of costs.
A. As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Intractable behavior" means behavior that, in the determination of the Department of Corrections, (i) indicates an inmate's unwillingness or inability to conform his behavior to that necessary to his successful completion of the program or (ii) is so disruptive as to threaten the successful completion of the program by other participants.
"Nonviolent felony" means any felony except those considered an "act of violence" pursuant to § 19.2-297.1 or any attempt to commit any of those crimes.
B. A defendant (i) who otherwise would have been sentenced to
incarceration for a nonviolent felony and whose identified risks and needs the
court determines cannot be addressed by conventional probation supervision or
(ii) whose suspension of sentence would otherwise be revoked after a finding
that the defendant has violated the terms and conditions of probation for a
nonviolent felony, may shall be considered for
commitment to a community corrections alternative program established under §
53.1-67.9 as follows:
1. Following conviction and prior to imposition of sentence or following a finding that the defendant's probation should be revoked, upon motion of the defendant or the attorney for the Commonwealth or upon the court's own motion, the court may order such defendant referred to the Department of Corrections for a period not to exceed 45 days from the date of commitment for evaluation and diagnosis by the Department to determine eligibility and suitability for participation in the community corrections alternative program. The evaluation and diagnosis may be conducted by the Department at any state or local correctional facility, probation, parole office, or other location deemed appropriate by the Department. When a defendant who has not been charged with a new criminal offense and who may be subject to a revocation of probation scores incarceration on the probation violation guidelines and agrees to participate, the probation and parole officer, with the approval of the court, may refer the defendant to the Department for such evaluation, for a period not to exceed 45 days.
2. Upon determination that (i) such commitment is in the best interest of the Commonwealth and the defendant and (ii) facilities are available for the confinement of the defendant, the Department shall recommend to the court in writing that the defendant be committed to the community corrections alternative program. The Department shall have the final authority to determine an individual's eligibility and suitability for the program.
3. Upon receipt of such a recommendation and a determination
by the court that the defendant will benefit from the community corrections
alternative program and is capable of returning to society as a productive
citizen following successful completion of the program, and if the defendant
would otherwise be committed to the Department, the court (i) shall impose
sentence, suspend the sentence, and place the defendant on probation pursuant
to this section or (ii) following a finding that the defendant has violated the
terms and conditions of his probation previously ordered, shall place the
defendant on probation pursuant to this section. Such probation shall be conditioned upon require the defendant's entry
into and successful completion of the community corrections alternative
program. The court shall order that, upon successful completion of the program,
the defendant shall be released from confinement and be under probation
supervision for a period of not less than one year. The court shall further
order that the defendant, prior to release from confinement, shall (a) make
reasonable efforts to secure and maintain employment; (b) comply with a plan of
restitution or community service; (c) comply with a plan for payment of fines,
if any, and costs of court; and (d) undergo substance abuse treatment, if
necessary. The court may impose such other terms and conditions of probation as
it deems appropriate to be effective on the defendant's successful completion
of the community corrections alternative program. A sentence to the community
corrections alternative program shall not be imposed in addition to an active
sentence to a state correctional facility.
4. Upon the defendant's (i)
voluntary withdrawal from the community corrections alternative program, (ii)
removal from the program by the Department for intractable behavior, or
(iii) (ii)
failure to comply with the terms and conditions of probation, the court shall
cause the defendant to show cause why his probation and suspension of sentence
should not be revoked. Upon a finding that the defendant
voluntarily withdrew from the program, was removed from the
program by the Department for intractable behavior,
or failed to comply with the terms and conditions of probation, the court may
revoke all or part of the probation and suspended sentence and commit the
defendant as otherwise provided in this chapter.
C. Any offender incarcerated for a nonviolent felony paroled
under § 53.1-155 or mandatorily released under § 53.1-159 and for whom probable
cause that a violation of parole or of the terms and conditions of mandatory
release, other than the occurrence of a new felony or Class 1 or Class 2
misdemeanor, has been determined under § 53.1-165, may shall be considered by the
Parole Board for commitment to a community corrections alternative program as
established under § 53.1-67.9 as follows:
1. The Parole Board or its authorized hearing officer, with the violator's consent or upon receipt of a defendant's written voluntary agreement to participate form from the probation and parole officer, may order the violator to be evaluated and diagnosed by the Department of Corrections to determine suitability for participation in the community corrections alternative program. The evaluation and diagnosis may be conducted by the Department at any state or local correctional facility, probation or parole office, or other location deemed appropriate by the Department.
2. Upon determination that (i) such commitment is in the best interest of the Commonwealth and the violator and (ii) facilities are available for the confinement of the violator, the Department shall recommend to the Parole Board in writing that the violator be committed to the community corrections alternative program. The Department shall have the final authority to determine an individual's eligibility and suitability for the program.
3. Upon receipt of such a recommendation and a determination
by the Parole Board that the violator will benefit from the program and is
capable of returning to society as a productive citizen following successful
completion of the program and if the violator would otherwise be committed to
the Department, the Parole Board shall restore the violator to parole
supervision conditioned upon and require
entry into and successful completion of the community corrections alternative
program. The Parole Board shall order that, upon successful completion of the
program, the violator shall be placed under parole supervision for a period of
not less than one year. The Parole Board may impose such other terms and
conditions of parole or mandatory release as it deems appropriate to be
effective on the defendant's successful completion of the community corrections
alternative program. The time spent in the program shall not be counted as
service of any part of a term of imprisonment for which he was sentenced upon
his conviction.
4. Upon the violator's (i)
voluntary withdrawal from the program, (ii) removal from
the program by the Department for intractable behavior,
or (iii)
(ii) failure to comply with the terms and conditions of
parole or mandatory release, the Parole Board may revoke parole or mandatory
release and recommit the violator as provided in § 53.1-165.
D. A person sentenced pursuant to this article who receives payment for employment while in the community corrections alternative program shall be required to pay an amount to be determined by the Department of Corrections to defray the cost of his keep.