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| Texas Prison System Under Review |
| By KXAN |
| Published: 03/18/2003 |
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Projections show the Texas prison system could reach its maximum operating capacity within weeks. Right now it appears there are fewer than 200 beds open in the 150,000 bed system. That could be a problem for budget writers looking to slash state costs. Budget writers are wringing their hands over where to trim the budget for the prison system. Last week the Texas Department of Criminal Justice proposed $172 million in budget cuts. Prison officials say inmates are serving more time on tougher sentences and that's putting pressure on the system, taking up more space. But some are warning certain cuts now could cost the state in the long run. Among proposed cuts, some rehabilitation programs that have shown success in keeping inmates from returning to prison after their release. 'You all have made very clear that the foremost policy of the State of Texas is punishment. Punishing especially violent and sex offenders. And you getting that, so you getting what you pay for basically,' Tony Fabelo with the Criminal Justice Policy Council said. Some lawmakers are suggesting that TDCJ be exempt from budget cuts out of concern for public safety, but so far nothing has been ruled off of the table. |
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