|
|
| Could Minnesota safely cut prison sentences and save money? |
| By minnpost.com - Steven Dornfeld |
| Published: 07/13/2012 |
|
As their budgetary struggles continue, state governments could save millions by reducing criminal sentences for nonviolent offenders without risking higher crime rates. That’s the message of a recent report by the Pew Center on the States, a nonpartisan research and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. It attempts to help states achieve long-term fiscal health by identifying program investments that provide the greatest returns. The Pew study found that prisoners released in 2009 served an average of nine additional months in custody, or 36 percent longer, than offenders released in 1990. While that may not sound like much, the additional time in prison cost states an average of $23,300 per offender — or a total of more than $10 billion, with more than half of the cost going for nonviolent offenders. “Violent and career criminals belong behind bars, and for a long time,” said Adam Gelb, director of the study. “But building more prisons to house lower-risk nonviolent inmates for longer sentences simply is not the best way to reduce crime.” The report says the combined federal-state-local inmate count in 2008 reached 2.3 million, or one in 100 adults. Annual state spending on corrections now tops $51 billion, with prisons accounting for the vast majority of the cost. According to the Pew report, the trends are similar here. The average Minnesota offender released in 2009 served 2.3 years in custody, 38 percent more time than the average offender released in 1990. The added cost to the taxpayers: $93.2 million for the 3,482 offenders released in 2009. Read More. |
Comments:
Login to let us know what you think
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
Have you been hurt in an accident in Waco Temple or Killeen? Our personal injury lawyers will review your claim to examine if there is enough evidence to support a lawsuit. You may be eligible to file a personal injury claim if you were involved in an accident that was caused by the negligence of someone else. Our hearing loss attorney in waco work with personal injury experts to understand how the accident has changed your life and what money you need to go forward.