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: The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

WA: Guards protest possible closing of prison.

By Real Cost of Prisons Project (The Sentencing Project)

Prison cuts would free hundreds of felons, critics contend March 31, 2009 By LEVI PULKKINEN SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF Proposed cuts to the Department of Corrections budget could see hundreds of felons released into the community early, corrections officers and victim advocates argued Tuesday in response to legislative proposals. In separate plans, both legislative houses and Gov. Chris Gregoire have suggested significant cuts to the department budget in an effort to close a nearly $9 billion shortfall in state revenue. Included in House and Senate budgets are substantial reductions in funding to prisoner reentry programs, including drug and alcohol abuse treatment and work placement. Contending that a Senate proposal to close the McNeil Island Corrections Center and other cuts could cause 1,400 to 1,900 convicts to be released early, prison employees union leader Tracey Thompson said too little has been done to research the impact such a move would have on public safety...continue to full post

Full post as published by The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog on April 03, 2009 (boomark / email).