JUNEAU -- An Anchorage lawmaker is proposing to limit the caseload of probation officers to 60.
Sen. Lesil McGuire said she is greatly concerned that parole officers do not have the appropriate amount of time to really manage their caseload and protect the public. McGuire said an individual parole officer in her hometown is responsible for more than 100 cases.
McGuire said the ability of a parole officer to monitor an individual closely can reduce recidivism rates and help offenders become productive members of society.
She said her bill, SB195, is intended to start a conversation about the effectiveness and systemic costs of Alaska's corrections system.
The bill provides an exception to the cap for temporary or extraordinary circumstances.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear the bill Friday.
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