Article 4.
Sentencing Commission.
§ 164‑35.  Commission established.
The North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission is established. As used in this Article, the term "Commission" means the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1076, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 812, s. 12; c. 816, s. 1; 1993, c. 253, s. 5.1; c. 321, s. 200.1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 591, s. 6(a); 1995, c. 236, s. 1; 1997‑256, s. 6; 1997‑347, s. 2; 1997‑401, s. 2; 1997‑418, s. 2; 1997‑443, s. 18.6(a).)

§ 164‑36.  Powers and duties.
(a)	Sentences established for violations of the State's criminal laws should be based on the established purposes of our criminal justice and corrections systems. The Commission shall evaluate sentencing laws and policies in relationship to both the stated purposes of the criminal justice and corrections systems and the availability of sentencing options. The Commission shall make recommendations to the General Assembly for the modification of sentencing laws and policies, and for the addition, deletion, or expansion of sentencing options as necessary to achieve policy goals. The Commission shall make a report of its recommendations, including any recommended legislation, to the General Assembly annually.
(b)	Dispositions established for violations by juveniles of the State's criminal laws should be based on the established purposes set forth in Chapter 7B of the General Statutes. The Commission shall evaluate dispositional laws and policies in relationship to both the stated purposes of Chapter 7B of the General Statutes and the availability of dispositional alternatives. The Commission shall make recommendations to the General Assembly for the modification of dispositional laws and policies, and for the addition, deletion, or expansion of dispositional alternatives as necessary to achieve policy goals. The Commission shall make a report of its recommendations, including any recommended legislation, to the General Assembly annually. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1076, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 812, s. 12; c. 816, s. 1; 1993, c. 253, s. 5.1; c. 321, s. 200.1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 591, s. 6(a); 1995, c. 236, s. 1; 1997‑256, s. 6; 1997‑347, s. 2; 1997‑401, s. 2; 1997‑418, s. 2; 1997‑443, s. 18.6(a); 1997‑443, s. 18.6(c); 1998‑202, s. 10(a).)

§ 164‑37.  Membership; chairman; meetings; quorum.
The Commission shall consist of 29 members as follows:
(1)	The Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court shall appoint a sitting or former Justice or judge of the General Court of Justice, who shall serve as Chairman of the Commission.
(2)	The Chief Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, or another judge on the Court of Appeals, serving as the Chief Judge's designee.
(3)	The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction or the Secretary's designee.
(4)	Repealed by Session Laws 2011‑391, s. 43(e), effective January 1, 2011.
(5)	The Chairman of the Post‑Release Supervision and Parole Commission, or the Chairman's designee.
(6)	The President of the Conference of Superior Court Judges or the President's designee.
(7)	The President of the District Court Judges Association or the President's designee.
(8)	The President of the North Carolina Sheriff's Association or the President's designee.
(9)	The President of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police or the President's designee.
(10)	One member of the public at large, who is not currently licensed to practice law in North Carolina, to be appointed by the Governor.
(11)	One member to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.
(12)	Three members of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.
(13)	Three members of the Senate, to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(14)	The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint the representative of the North Carolina System of Community Colleges who has knowledge of programs provided to offenders in the criminal justice system or to juveniles in the juvenile justice system that is recommended by the President of that organization.
(15)	The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint the member of the business community that is recommended by the President of the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association.
(16)	The Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court shall appoint the criminal defense attorney that is recommended by the President of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice.
(17)	The President of the Conference of District Attorneys or the President's designee.
(18)	The Lieutenant Governor shall appoint the member of the North Carolina Victim Assistance Network that is recommended by the President of that organization.
(19)	A rehabilitated former prison inmate, to be appointed by the Chairman of the Commission.
(20)	The President of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners or the President's designee.
(21)	The Governor shall appoint the member of the academic community, with a background in criminal justice or corrections policy, that is recommended by the President of The University of North Carolina.
(22)	The Attorney General, or a member of the Attorney General's staff, to be appointed by the Attorney General.
(23)	The Governor shall appoint the member of the North Carolina Bar Association that is recommended by the President of that organization.
(24)	A citizen of this State who works in either the criminal justice system or the juvenile justice system, depending on the current work of the Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission, to be appointed by the Chairman of the Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission.
(25)	The President of the North Carolina Conference of Clerks of Superior Court, or the President's designee.
(26)	Repealed by Session Laws 2011‑391, s. 43(e), effective January 1, 2011.
(27)	The Secretary of the Department of Public Safety or the Secretary's designee.
The Commission shall have its initial meeting no later than September 1, 1990, at the call of the Chairman. The Commission shall meet a minimum of four regular meetings each year. The Commission may also hold special meetings at the call of the Chairman, or by any four members of the Commission, upon such notice and in such manner as may be fixed by the rules of the Commission. A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.  (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1076, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 812, s. 12; c. 816, ss. 1, 2; 1993, c. 253, s. 5.1; c. 321, s. 200.1; c. 535, s. 4; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 591, s. 6(a); 1995, c. 236, s. 1; 1997‑256, s. 6; 1997‑347, s. 2; 1997‑401, s. 2; 1997‑418 s. 2; 1997‑443, s. 18.6(a); 1998‑170, s. 1; 1998‑202, s. 10(f); 2000‑137, s. 4(kk); 2011‑145, s. 19.1(g), (i), (l); 2011‑391, s. 43(c)‑(e); 2021‑180, s. 19C.9(o); 2023‑134, s. 16.16(a).)

§ 164‑38.  Terms of members; compensation; expenses.
The terms of existing members shall expire on June 30, 1997, unless they resign or are removed. New members shall be appointed or the existing members reappointed by the appointing authorities to serve terms of two years, unless they resign or are removed. Members serving by virtue of elective or appointive office or as designees of such officeholders may serve only so long as the officeholders hold those respective offices. Members appointed by the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate may be removed by the appointing authority without cause. Vacancies occurring before the expiration of a term shall be filled in the manner provided for the members first appointed. A member of the Commission may be removed only for disability, neglect of duty, incompetence, or malfeasance in office. Before removal, the member is entitled to a hearing. Effective with respect to members designated on or after July 1, 1992, a person making a designation pursuant to G.S. 164‑37 may not make another designation, except that the person's successor in elective or appointive office may make a new designation.
The Commission members shall receive no salary for serving. All Commission members shall receive necessary subsistence and travel expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, and 138‑6 as applicable. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1076, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 812, s. 12; c. 816, ss. 1, 3; 1993, c. 253, s. 5.1; c. 321, s. 200.1(b); 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 591, ss. 6(a), (b); 1995, c. 236, s. 1; c. 236, s. 2; 1997‑256, s. 6; 1997‑347, s. 2; 1997‑401, s. 2; 1997‑418, s. 2; 1997‑443, s. 18.6(a); 1997‑443, s. 18.6(b).)

§ 164‑39.  Executive director and other staff.
The Commission shall employ an Executive Director from candidates presented to it by the Chairman and the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. The Executive Director shall have appropriate training and experience to assist the Commission in the performance of its duties. The Executive Director shall be responsible for compiling the work of the Commission and drafting suggested legislation incorporating the Commission's findings for submission to the General Assembly.
Subject to the approval of the Chairman, the Executive Director shall employ such other staff and shall contract for services as is necessary to assist the Commission in the performance of its duties, and as funds permit.
The Commission may, with the approval of the Legislative Services Commission, meet in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building, or may meet in an area provided by the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. Commission staff shall use office space provided by the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1076, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 812, s. 12; c. 816, s. 1; 1993, c. 253, s. 5.1; c. 321, s. 200.1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 591, s. 6(a); 1995, c. 236, s. 1; 1997‑256, s. 6; 1997‑347, s. 2; 1997‑401, s. 2; 1997‑418, s. 2; 1997‑443, s. 18.6(a).)

§ 164‑40.  Correction population simulation model; juvenile justice facilities population simulation model.
(a)	The Commission shall develop a correctional population simulation model, and shall have first priority to apply the model to a given fact situation, or theoretical change in the sentencing laws, when requested to do so by the Chairman, the Executive Director, or the Commission as a whole.
The Executive Director or the Chairman shall make the model available to respond to inquiries by any State legislator, by the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety, or by the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction, in second priority to the work of the Commission.
(b)	The Commission shall develop a population simulation model for juvenile justice facilities and shall have first priority to apply the model to a given fact situation, or theoretical change in the dispositional laws set forth in Chapter 7B of the General Statutes, when requested to do so by the Chairman, the Executive Director, or the Commission as a whole.
The Executive Director or the Chairman shall make the model available to respond to inquiries by any State legislator, or by the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Public Safety, in second priority to the work of the Commission.  (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1076, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 812, s. 12; c. 816, s. 1; 1993, c. 253, s. 5.1; c. 321, s. 200.1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 591, s. 6(a); 1995, c. 236, s. 1; 1997‑256, s. 6; 1997‑347, s. 2; 1997‑401, s. 2; 1997‑418, s. 2; 1997‑443, s. 18.6(a); 1998‑202, s. 10(b); 2000‑137, s. 4(ii); 2011‑145, s. 19.1(h), (i), (l); 2011‑391, s. 43(f); 2017‑186, s. 2(mmmmmmmmm); 2021‑180, s. 19C.9(ssss).)

§ 164‑41.  Classification of offenses – ranges of punishment.
(a)	The Commission shall classify criminal offenses into felony and misdemeanor categories on the basis of their severity.
(b)	In determining the proper category for each felony and misdemeanor, the Commission shall consider, to the extent that they have relevance, the following:
(1)	The nature and degree of harm likely to be caused by the offense, including whether it involves property, irreplaceable property, a person, number of persons, or a breach of the public trust;
(2)	The deterrent effect a particular classification may have on the commission of the offense by others;
(3)	The current incidence of the offense in the State as a whole;
(4)	The rights of the victim.
(c)	For each classification of felonies and misdemeanors formulated pursuant to subsection (b), the Commission shall assign a suggested range of punishment. The Commission shall take into consideration the current range of punishment for each offense. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1076, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 812, s. 12; c. 816, s. 1; 1993, c. 253, s. 5.1; c. 321, s. 200.1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 591, s. 6(a); 1995, c. 236, s. 1; 1997‑256, s. 6; 1997‑347, s. 2; 1997‑401, s. 2; 1997‑418, s. 2; 1997‑443, s. 18.6(a).)

§ 164‑42.  Sentencing structures.
(a)	The Commission shall recommend structures for use by a sentencing court in determining the most appropriate sentence to be imposed in a criminal case, including:
(1)	Imposition of an active term of imprisonment;
(2)	Imposition of a term of probation;
(3)	Suspension of a sentence to imprisonment and imposition of probation with conditions, including the appropriate probation option or options, including house arrest, regular probation, intensive supervision, restitution, and community service;
(4)	Based upon the combination of offense and defendant characteristics in each case, the presumptively appropriate length of a term of probation, or a term of imprisonment;
(5)	Ordering multiple sentences to terms of imprisonment to run concurrently or consecutively;
(6)	For a sentence to probation without a suspended sentence to imprisonment, the maximum term of confinement to be imposed if the defendant violates the conditions of probation.
(b)	The sentencing structures shall be consistent with the goals, policies, and purposes of the criminal justice and corrections systems, as set forth in Sections 2 and 3 of the Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission Act of 1990. As part of its work, the Commission shall offer recommendations for the incorporation of those sections into the sentencing laws of North Carolina. In formulating structures, the Commission also shall consider:
(1)	The nature and characteristics of the offense;
(2)	The severity of the offense in relation to other offenses;
(3)	The characteristics of the defendant that mitigate or aggravate the seriousness of his criminal conduct and the punishment deserved therefor;
(4)	The defendant's number of prior convictions;
(5)	The available resources and constitutional capacity of the Division of Prisons, local confinement facilities, and community‑based sanctions;
(6)	The rights of the victims;
(7)	That felony offenders sentenced to an active term of imprisonment, or whose suspended sentence to imprisonment is activated, should serve a designated minimum percentage of their sentences before they are eligible for parole; and
(8)	That misdemeanor offenders sentenced to an active term of imprisonment, or whose suspended sentence to imprisonment is activated, should serve a designated minimum percentage of their sentence before they are eligible for parole.
(c)	The Commission shall also consider the policy issues set forth in G.S. 164‑42.1 in developing its sentencing structures.
(d)	The Commission shall include with each set of sentencing structures a statement of its estimate of the effect of the sentencing structures on the Division of Prisons and local facilities, both in terms of fiscal impact and on inmate population. If the Commission finds that the proposed sentencing structures will result in inmate populations in the Division of Prisons and local confinement facilities that exceed the standard operating capacity, then the Commission shall present an additional set of structures that are consistent with that capacity. For purposes of this subsection, "standard operating capacity" means the total capacity expected to be available in both local confinement facilities and in the Division of Prisons once all the proceeds of bonds authorized by Chapter 933 of the 1989 Session Laws and Chapter 935 of the 1989 Session Laws have been expended for the construction of prison facilities.  (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1076, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 812, s. 12; c. 816, ss. 1, 5; 1993, c. 253, s. 5.1; c. 321, s. 200.1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 591, s. 6(a); 1995, c. 236, s. 1; 1997‑256, s. 6; 1997‑347, s. 2; 1997‑401, s. 2; 1997‑418, s. 2; 1997‑443, s. 18.6(a); 2009‑372, s. 8; 2011‑145, s. 19.1(h); 2011‑391, s. 43(f); 2017‑186, s. 2(nnnnnnnnn); 2021‑180, s. 19C.9(q).)

§ 164‑42.1.  Policy recommendations.
(a)	Using the studies of the Special Committee on Prisons, the Governor's Crime Commission, and other analyses, including testimony from representatives of the bodies that conducted the analyses, the Commission shall:
(1)	Determine the long‑range needs of the criminal justice and corrections systems and recommend policy priorities for those systems;
(2)	Determine the long‑range information needs of the criminal justice and corrections systems and acquire that information as it becomes available;
(3)	Identify critical problems in the criminal justice and corrections systems and recommend strategies to solve those problems;
(4)	Assess the cost‑effectiveness of the use of State and local funds in the criminal justice and corrections systems;
(5)	Recommend the goals, priorities, and standards for the allocation of criminal justice and corrections funds;
(6)	Recommend means to improve the deterrent and rehabilitative capabilities of the criminal justice and corrections systems;
(7)	Propose plans, programs, and legislation for improving the effectiveness of the criminal justice and corrections systems;
(8)	Determine the sentencing structures for parole decisions;
(9)	Examine the impact of mandatory sentence lengths as opposed to the deterrent effect of minimum mandatory terms of imprisonment;
(10)	Examine good time and gain time practices;
(11)	Study the value of presentence reports;
(12)	Consider the rehabilitative potential of the offender and the appropriate rehabilitative placement;
(13)	Examine the impact of imprisonment on families of offenders;
(14)	Examine the impact of imprisonment on the ability of the offender to make restitution;
(15)	Study the need for an amendment to Article XI, Section 1 of the State Constitution to include restitution, restraints on liberty, work programs, or other punishments to the list of punishments allowed under that section; and
(16)	Study the costs and consequences of criminal behavior in North Carolina and consider the value of preventing crimes by using incarceration to deter both prospective criminals and convicted criminals from future crimes.
(b)	Using the studies and analyses available, including testimony from representatives of the bodies that conducted the analyses, the Commission shall:
(1)	Determine the long‑range needs of the juvenile justice system and recommend policy priorities for that system;
(2)	Determine the long‑range information needs of the juvenile justice system and acquire that information as it becomes available;
(3)	Identify critical problems in the juvenile justice system and recommend strategies to solve those problems;
(4)	Assess the cost‑effectiveness of the use of State and local funds in the juvenile justice system; and
(5)	Recommend the goals, priorities, and standards for the allocation of juvenile justice funds. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1076, s. 1; 1993, c. 253, s. 5.1; c. 321, s. 200.1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 591, s. 6(a); 1995, c. 236, s. 1; 1997‑256, s. 6; 1997‑347, s. 2; 1997‑401, s. 2; 1997‑418, s. 2; 1997‑443, s. 18.6(a); 1998‑202, s. 10(c).)

§ 164‑42.2.  Community corrections.
The Commission shall recommend a comprehensive community corrections strategy and organizational structure for the State based upon the following:
(1)	A review of existing community‑based corrections programs in the State;
(2)	The identification of additional types of community corrections programs, including residential programs, necessary to create an effective continuum of corrections sanctions in North Carolina;
(3)	The identification of categories of offenders who would be eligible for sentencing to community corrections programs and the impact that the use of a comprehensive range of community‑based sanctions would have on sentencing practices;
(4)	A form of State oversight and coordination to ensure that community corrections programs are coordinated in order to achieve maximum impact; and
(5)	A mechanism for State funding and local community participation in the operation and implementation of community corrections programs;
(6)	An analysis of the rate of recidivism of clients under the supervision of the existing community‑based corrections programs in the State, recidivism here measured as the clients committing new crimes at any time subsequent to their entry into a community‑based corrections program. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1076, s. 1; 1993, c. 253, s. 5.1; c. 321, s. 200.1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 591, s. 6(a); 1995, c. 236, s.1; 1997‑256, s. 6; 1997‑347, s. 2; 1997‑401, s. 2; 1997‑418, s. 2; 1997‑443, s. 18.6(a).)

§ 164‑43.  Priority of duties; reports; continuing duties.
(a)	The Commission shall have two primary duties, and other secondary duties essential to accomplishing the primary ones. The Commission may establish subcommittees or advisory committees composed of Commission members to accomplish duties imposed by this Article.
It is the legislative intent that the Commission attach priority to accomplish the following primary duties:
(1)	The classification of criminal offenses as described in G.S. 164‑41 and the formulation of sentencing structures as described in G.S. 164‑42; and
(2)	The formulation of proposals and recommendations as described in G.S. 164‑42.1 and G.S. 164‑42.2.
(b)	The Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the 1991 General Assembly, 1991 Regular Session. The report shall describe the status of the Commission's work, and shall include any completed policy recommendations.
(c)	The Commission shall report on its progress in formulating recommendations for the classification and ranges of punishment for felonies and misdemeanors, required by G.S. 164‑41, and sentencing structures, established under G.S. 164‑42, to the 1991 General Assembly, 1992 Regular Session, and shall make a final report on these recommendations no later than 30 days after the convening of the 1993 Session of the General Assembly.
(d)	Once the primary duties of the Commission have been accomplished, it shall have the continuing duty to monitor and review the criminal justice and corrections systems and the juvenile justice system in this State to ensure that sentences and dispositions remain uniform and consistent, and that the goals and policies established by the State are being implemented by sentencing and dispositional practices, and it shall recommend methods by which this ongoing work may be accomplished and by which the correctional population simulation model and the juvenile justice facilities population simulation model developed under G.S. 164‑40 shall continue to be used by the State.
(e)	Upon adoption of a system for the classification of offenses formulated under G.S. 164‑41, the Commission or its successor shall review all proposed legislation which creates a new criminal offense, changes the classification of an offense, or changes the range of punishment or dispositional level for a particular classification, and shall make recommendations to the General Assembly.
(f)	In the case of a new criminal offense, the Commission or its successor shall determine whether the proposal places the offense in the correct classification, based upon the considerations and principles set out in G.S. 164‑41. If the proposal does not assign the offense to a classification, it shall be the duty of the Commission or its successor to recommend the proper classification placement.
(g)	In the case of proposed changes in the classification of an offense or changes in the range of punishment or dispositional level for a classification, the Commission or its successor shall determine whether such a proposed change is consistent with the considerations and principles set out in G.S. 164‑41, and shall report its findings to the General Assembly.
(h)	The Commission or its successor shall meet within 10 days after the last day for filing general bills in the General Assembly for the purpose of reviewing bills as described in subsections (e), (f), and (g). The Commission or its successor shall include in its report on a bill an analysis based on an application of the correctional population simulation model or the juvenile justice facilities population simulation model to the provisions of the bill."  (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1076, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 812, s. 12; c. 816, ss. 1, 4; 1993, c. 253, s. 5.1; c. 321, s. 200.1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 591, s. 6(a); 1995, c. 236, s. 1; 1997‑256, s. 6; 1997‑347, s. 2; 1997‑401, s. 2; 1997‑418, s. 2; 1997‑443, s. 18.6(a); 1998‑202, s. 10(d); 2000‑137, s. 4(jj); 2011‑145, s. 19.1(l); 2017‑186, s. 2(ooooooooo); 2021‑180, s. 19C.9(tttt).)

§ 164‑44.  Statistical information; financial or other aid.
(a)	The Commission shall have the secondary duty of collecting, developing, and maintaining statistical data relating to sentencing, corrections, and juvenile justice so that the primary duties of the Commission will be formulated using data that is valid, accurate, and relevant to this State. All State agencies shall provide data as it is requested by the Commission. For the purposes of G.S. 143B‑1209.10, the Commission shall be considered to be engaged in the administration of criminal justice. All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public and the information presented to the Commission shall be available to any State agency or member of the General Assembly.
(b)	The Commission shall have the authority to apply for, accept, and use any gifts, grants, or financial or other aid, in any form, from the federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or from the State or from any other source including private associations, foundations, or corporations to accomplish any of the duties set out in this Chapter.  (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1076, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 812, s. 12; c. 816, s. 1; 1993, c. 253, s. 5.1; c. 321, s. 200.1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 591, s. 6(a); 1995, c. 236, s. 1; 1997‑256, s. 6; 1997‑347, s. 2; 1997‑401, s. 2; 1997‑418, s. 2; 1997‑443, s. 18.6(a); 1998‑202, s. 10(e); 2011‑192, s. 8(b); 2014‑100, s. 17.1(ooo); 2023‑134, s. 19F.4(n).)

§ 164‑45.  Administrative direction and supervision.
The Commission shall be administered under the direction and supervision of the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. The Commission shall exercise all of its prescribed statutory powers independently of the head of that Office, except that all management functions shall be performed under the direction and supervision of the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. "Management functions," as used in this section, means planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, and budgeting. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1076, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 812, s. 12; c. 816, s. 1; 1993, c. 253, s. 5.1; c. 321, s. 200.1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 591, s. 6(a); 1995, c. 236, s. 1; 1997‑256, s. 6; 1997‑347, s. 2; 1997‑401, s. 2; 1997‑418, s. 2; 1997‑443, s. 18.6(a).)

§ 164‑46:  Repealed by Session Laws 1998‑212, s.  16.18(b).

§ 164‑47.  Biennial Report on Recidivism.
The Judicial Department, through the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission and the Department of Adult Correction, shall jointly conduct ongoing evaluations of community corrections programs and in‑prison treatment programs and make a biennial report to the General Assembly. The report shall include composite measures of program effectiveness based on recidivism rates, other outcome measures, and costs of the programs.
During the 1998‑99 fiscal year, the Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission shall coordinate the collection of all data necessary to create an expanded database containing offender information on prior convictions, current conviction and sentence, program participation, and outcome measures. Each program to be evaluated shall assist the Commission in the development of systems and collection of data necessary to complete the evaluation process. The first evaluation report shall be presented to the Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees and the Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety by April 15, 2000, and future reports shall be made by April 15 of each even‑numbered year.  (1998‑212, s. 16.18(a); 2011‑145, s. 19.1(h); 2017‑186, s. 2(ppppppppp); 2021‑180, s. 19C.9(uuuu); 2023‑134, s. 16.16(b).)

§ 164‑48.  Biennial report on juvenile recidivism.
The Judicial Department, through the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission, shall conduct biennial recidivism studies of juveniles in North Carolina. Each study shall be based upon a sample of juveniles adjudicated delinquent and document subsequent involvement in both the juvenile justice system and criminal justice system for at least two years following the sample adjudication. All State agencies shall provide data as requested by the Commission.
The Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission shall report the results of the first recidivism study to the Chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Committees and the Chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety by May 1, 2007, and future reports shall be made by May 1 of each odd‑numbered year. (2005‑276, s. 14.19(a).)

§ 164‑49.  Biennial report on effectiveness of JCPC grant recipients.
The Judicial Department, through the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission, shall conduct biennial studies on the effectiveness of programs receiving Juvenile Crime Prevention Council grant funding in North Carolina. Each study shall be based upon a sample of juveniles admitted to programs funded with JCPC grants and document subsequent involvement in both the juvenile justice system and criminal justice system for at least two years following the sample admittance. All State agencies shall provide data as requested by the Commission.
The Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission shall report the results of the first effectiveness study to the Chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Committees and the Chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety by May 1, 2011, and future reports shall be made by May 1 of each odd‑numbered year.  (2009‑451, s. 15.17J.)

§ 164‑50.  Annual report on implementation of Justice Reinvestment Project.
The Judicial Department, through the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission and the Department of Adult Correction, shall jointly conduct ongoing evaluations regarding the implementation of the Justice Reinvestment Act of 2011. The Commission shall present the first evaluation report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety and to the Chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittees on Justice and Public Safety by April 15 of each year.  (2011‑192, s. 8(a); 2011‑145, s. 19.1(h); 2017‑186, s. 2(qqqqqqqqq); 2021‑180, s. 19C.9(q); 2023‑134, s. 16.16(c).)

§ 164‑51.  Five‑year projection; Statewide Misdemeanant Confinement Program.
The Judicial Department, through the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission (Commission) and with the assistance of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association (Sheriffs' Association), shall develop projections of available bed space in the Statewide Misdemeanant Confinement Program (Program). The projections shall cover the next five fiscal years beginning with the 2018‑2019 fiscal year. All State agencies, the Sheriffs' Association, and the person having administrative control of a local confinement facility as defined in G.S. 153A‑217(5) shall furnish to the Commission data related to available bed space as requested to implement this section.
The Commission shall report its projections to the chairs of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Justice and Public Safety and the chairs of the House Appropriations Committee on Justice and Public Safety no later than February 15, 2019, and annually thereafter.  (2018‑5, s. 18B.3(a).)