Santa Fe rep proposes renaming state sentencing body

Rep. Tara Lujan of Santa Fe presented a legislative proposal on Friday that would expand the New Mexico Sentencing Commission into a new entity called the New Mexico Criminal Justice Institute. The draft bill aims to modernize the state’s criminal justice system as part of a ten-year initiative. The proposal was reviewed by the interim Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee during a hearing in Santa Fe.

The bill creates five standing committees within the new institute. These committees will focus on data, system capacity, workforce, funding and accountability, and juvenile justice. The body would be responsible for implementing a ten-year plan across four distinct phases. The final phase of the plan includes the launch of a public data dashboard.

The dashboard would track metrics from eight specific categories. These categories include crimes by offense type, arrests by offense type, and pre-trial detention rates. It would also monitor the use and success of deflection and diversion programs, sentences, and dismissals. The system would track probation and parole outcomes as well as recidivism rates to provide a comprehensive view of the justice system's performance.

Commission Executive Director Douglas Carver stated that the current body opposes the bill in its present form. Carver, who spoke at the hearing alongside Lujan, explained that the primary objection is that the commission was not involved in the early stages of drafting the legislation. He noted that the body was not brought on board until the proposal was already taking shape. Carver said the commission would ideally receive such bills in their early stages to offer meaningful input.

Despite the opposition, Carver said the commission is willing to work with lawmakers to improve the bill before the legislative session begins in January. He expressed confidence that the two parties can collaborate to refine the text. Committee Chair Rep. Christine Chandler of Los Alamos agreed with the sentiment. Chandler told Lujan that it is smart to discuss the details in depth with commission leaders because the legislation directly affects their operations and structure.

State Sen. Linda Trujillo of Santa Fe raised concerns about the clarity of the draft bill’s language. She noted that the text makes it difficult to determine whether the state or the University of New Mexico would be responsible for paying, hiring, and managing staff at the expanded commission. Trujillo warned that lawmakers need to be cautious about the specific directives given to UNM, as the commission currently operates under a policy analysis framework associated with the university. She emphasized the need for precise language to avoid future funding disputes.

Lujan acknowledged the feedback from her colleagues. She described her proposals as an endeavor that is still in development. She thanked the committee for their input and indicated that the bill is not yet finalized. The legislation builds on a memorial passed earlier this year that directed the Legislature to create a task force. That task force was charged with drafting a plan to address systemic problems, including high levels of crime and recidivism.

Lujan also presented a second bill at the hearing that received less discussion. This proposal would create a deflection program for low-level offenders. Under this program, police officers and sheriffs’ deputies could offer eligible suspects a chance to participate in a social service program instead of being arrested and detained. Lujan said the goal of these proposals is to flesh out how the state will approach these changes over the next decade. The committee will continue to review the bills as they prepare for the January session.