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Will slight rise in inmate numbers keep Lege from closing prisons?

Mike Ward at the Austin Statesman reports that a modest increase in the number of inmates at TDCJ may squelch efforts to close prisons, something that's been happening in other states. His story today opens:Faced with a possible $20 billion budget gap, Texas legislative leaders had hoped to discuss closing some state prisons to save money. However, those prisons that for months have had empty bunks are slowly filling back up.And while officials are split about the reasons, most agree that if the trend continues, it could make decisions about slashing state spending even more difficult when the Legislature convenes in January.Full prisons can't be closed without releasing convicts, a politically unthinkable solution. That leaves treatment and rehabilitation programs ? two areas where Texas has expanded its funding and has been successful in recent years at reducing its prison population ? as the likely targets for cuts that by some estimates could reach 15 percent of current spending...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on November 09, 2010 (boomark / email).