CORRECTION DOES NOT DISCOURAGE PROSECUTION

Regarding your Sept. 3 story, "Prosecutors feeling 'pressure' to lighten up
on criminals," it appears there may be some misinformation concerning how
the North Carolina Department of Correction is managing the state's growing
prison population. The Department of Correction does not "pressure"
district attorneys into seeking lighter penalties or sending fewer people
to prison.

Our department does keep state lawmakers apprised of prison conditions and
our current and future space needs. We make requests to the Legislature for
adequate resources to accommodate the growing number of inmates committed
to our state prisons.

Recently, the state Legislature approved funding for three new prisons in
Alexander, Anson and Scotland counties. These prisons will add 3,000 badly
needed high-security cells to help handle our growth.

At the same time, budget proposals discussed by lawmakers have targeted
several small prisons for possible closure. These prisons are old and among
the most expensive to operate. They account for less than 300
minimum-security beds - neither the type of bed nor the number needed to
handle our projected growth.

As a department, we are committed to preserving the public safety by
keeping dangerous criminals off the streets and in prison. We are
constantly seeking efficient and cost-effective ways to deal with our
growing prison population. Encouraging prosecutors to send fewer dangerous
criminals to prison is not one of our methods.

KEITH ACREE

Public Information Officer

Department of Correction