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| For taxpayers, prison costs don’t add up |
| By tribune-democrat.com |
| Published: 03/06/2012 |
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Pennsylvania — We note the irony taking place in two current heated debates – a national health-care plan and our state’s out-of-control prison costs. Huh, you say. Let us explain. While nationwide, millions of people are struggling financially to obtain health care, seemingly it’s carte du jour for inmates, at least in our commonwealth. Here’s an example: A Cambria County judge last week had to enter into a medical tiff involving an inmate at the State Correctional Institution-Cresson and the state Department of Corrections. The 22-year-old prisoner was refusing treatment for what was described as a dangerous condition. After a hearing was scheduled, the prisoner began cooperating with his treatment. You might conclude that was his prerogative from the get-go. You would be wrong. “Yes, he is an adult, but he is under the care of the department,” a DOC spokeswoman told our Sandra Reabuck. “We have to pursue providing the (medical) measures.” Hmm. But there is much more. While millions of law-abiding citizens must decide between medical/dental treatment or buying heating oil, taxpayers in Pennsylvania are paying about $35,000 a year per inmate. Or, as a writer for PA Independent so aptly put it, roughly $14,000 more than the annual cost to attend Penn State University with room and board. Read More. |
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