Post by CC on Aug 25, 2009 20:27:26 GMT -5
Kansas prisons chief: Budget cuts may shorten sentences
By kansascity.com
Published: 08/25/2009
TOPEKA, Kan. | Kansas' top corrections official said Monday that additional budget cuts for the prison system would make its lockups less safe and force the state to consider lighter sentences for its criminals.
Corrections Secretary Roger Werholtz said if his department were required to trim its spending again — after four previous rounds of state budget adjustments — it would have to consider cutting services for crime victims, reducing its supervision of parolees and closing a 554-bed minimum-security prison in Winfield.
He told the House Appropriations Committee that the department already is holding 40 jobs at its prisons open. "It increases the probability that something bad is going to happen," he said.
Werholtz said the state could soon reach the point where it must reduce its prison population and the former inmates it supervises on parole. That would require lesser sentences and shorter parole-supervision times, he said.
"There are no good choices left," Werholtz said after testifying to the committee. "If you can't maintain the resources, you're going to have to reduce the workload."
Werholtz was among the state officials who testified on the opening day of special summer and fall hearings by the Appropriations Committee. The budget-writing panel normally doesn't meet when lawmakers are out of session, and the Legislature adjourned its annual session in early June.
Leaders of the House's Republican majority, concerned that legislators will face closing another big budget shortfall next year, are trying to get a jump on trying to close it well before the Legislature reconvenes in January.
By kansascity.com
Published: 08/25/2009
TOPEKA, Kan. | Kansas' top corrections official said Monday that additional budget cuts for the prison system would make its lockups less safe and force the state to consider lighter sentences for its criminals.
Corrections Secretary Roger Werholtz said if his department were required to trim its spending again — after four previous rounds of state budget adjustments — it would have to consider cutting services for crime victims, reducing its supervision of parolees and closing a 554-bed minimum-security prison in Winfield.
He told the House Appropriations Committee that the department already is holding 40 jobs at its prisons open. "It increases the probability that something bad is going to happen," he said.
Werholtz said the state could soon reach the point where it must reduce its prison population and the former inmates it supervises on parole. That would require lesser sentences and shorter parole-supervision times, he said.
"There are no good choices left," Werholtz said after testifying to the committee. "If you can't maintain the resources, you're going to have to reduce the workload."
Werholtz was among the state officials who testified on the opening day of special summer and fall hearings by the Appropriations Committee. The budget-writing panel normally doesn't meet when lawmakers are out of session, and the Legislature adjourned its annual session in early June.
Leaders of the House's Republican majority, concerned that legislators will face closing another big budget shortfall next year, are trying to get a jump on trying to close it well before the Legislature reconvenes in January.