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| Kansas Plan Would Allow Private Prisons |
| By The Star Topeka |
| Published: 04/03/2006 |
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Legislation requiring tough sentences for child sex offenders in Kansas but not providing funding for their incarceration may make this the year that lawmakers vote to allow private prisons. One of the Kansas Legislature's self-proclaimed priorities this year, the sexual predator bill would mandate 25-year sentences for child sexual predators. But the extra inmates that the law would add to the state prison population about 1,000 over 10 years would require new prison space. Lawmakers who represent economically depressed rural counties were quick to suggest private prisons as a solution. Private companies could build the prisons and operate them, creating jobs for impoverished areas and saving the state millions of dollars. Last week, the Senate, led by Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, added language allowing private prisons to its version of the sexual predator bill. “It would not be responsible to pass a bill requiring hundreds of new prison beds and not include a way to do it,” said Schmidt, an Independence Republican. “We should be willing to pay the price.” But private prison proposals have failed repeatedly in the House, where lawmakers argue that operating prisons should remain a state concern. Schmidt's proposal is hung up in negotiations between the House and Senate on the bill's details. “It's a shame to tie it to a bill that's very popular,” said Rep. Janice Pauls, a Hutchinson Democrat and one of the House negotiators. Pauls said she expected something will be worked out to pass the sexual predator bill before the session ends. This is the last week of the regular session. Lawmakers will return next month for a brief wrap-up session. |
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