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| Prison Cuts Create Crowding Concerns In Georgia |
| By Augusta Chronicle / Morris News Service |
| Published: 06/10/2003 |
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In Georgia, more than 200,000 people are either in the custody of the Department of Corrections or under its supervision. The state has led the nation in prison population growth for three of the past four years, and its inmate population - about 47,000 - is now higher than the number of students enrolled in the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University and the Medical College of Georgia combined. But despite its constant growth, which is predicted to swell further thanks in part to Georgia's 'two strikes, you're out' law for violent felons, the state's prison system had its budget slashed by millions of dollars by the General Assembly this year. The result? Closed facilities, delayed plans for new prisons and belt-tightening that has included laying off chaplains, librarians and counselors and deleting more than 500 currently vacant jobs. Prison officials say they'll be able to soldier on despite the cuts - at least for now. But some advocates fear the cuts could lead to a more dangerous life for inmates, officers and, ultimately, regular citizens. About $30 million was cut from this year's original budget of $957 million, as lawmakers struggled to make up for a nearly $700 million state deficit brought on by dwindling tax receipts. The system's 2004 budget is $916 million, $41 million less than this year's. That's roughly the same as 2001, when the system incarcerated 2,000 fewer inmates than it does now. Currently, nearly 98 percent of Georgia's prison beds are full, with about 1,000 new inmates expected in the next year. But six new facilities planned to be built this year - from Long County to Rome, in northwest Georgia - were delayed because of the budget crunch. Also, a handful of existing centers were shut down. Sara Totonchi, the public policy coordinator with the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta said expanding programs such as day treatment centers, community service and drug courts would benefit both nonviolent offenders - who usually become more dangerous after going to prison, she said - and the state. The department, like many in state government, has a hiring freeze in place. A six-week substance abuse prevention program and a distance-learning program to help inmates get their high school equivalency degrees were cut - although Mr. Adams said the drug program was axed in favor of a more effective one and that no fewer inmates will be able to work toward their degree. As of July 1, 23 part-time counselors and 39 recreation directors will be eliminated, all librarians who earn hourly pay will be gone, and the budget for paid chaplains will be slashed by $1.5 million. |
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