PRISON SYSTEM COSTS LIKELY TO SWELL

Across the nation, states are reconsidering "tough-on-crime" sentencing
guidelines, but Mississippi is adamant about enforcing extended stays for
prisoners.

Mississippi's truth-in-sentencing law took effect in 1995, requiring anyone
convicted of a crime to serve 85 percent of the sentence before parole
consideration. Lawmakers approved the law after the federal government
offered money to states that would implement such rules for inmates
convicted of murder, manslaughter, rape and other crimes.

In 1996, then-Department of Corrections Commissioner Steve Puckett warned
lawmakers that the prison population would grow faster than Mississippi's
budget.

A 2001 bill provided some budget relief. It gave parole consideration to
some nonviolent, first-time offenders convicted after Jan. 1, 2000, once
they served 25 percent of their sentence.

In the meantime, slow revenue growth has led to funding cuts for many state
agencies, including prisons.

There are 20,481 inmates in state prisons, and current Commissioner Chris
Epps shares Puckett's refrain: The law costs money. Epps said he projects
the state's inmate population will grow by 700 in fiscal year 2005, which
begins next July, and he says he'll need $294.5 million in state funds to
operate.

Epps has proposals for reducing the inmate population, effectively cutting
costs, but critics say changes should make Mississippi soft on crime, an
image no politician wants.

Lawmakers this year harpooned a proposal that would have reduced prison
terms of model prisoners by giving them more days off for days they work.

Budget concerns have motivated dozens of states to reassess stiff
sentencing guidelines, including Alabama, Nevada, South Carolina and Maine,
according to the Vera Institute of Justice in New York City.

Washington, one of the first states to adopt stronger sentencing laws,
altered them this year. Joseph Lehman, secretary of the Washington State
Department of Corrections, said the new laws include one that shortens
sentences for drug offenders and provides funds for drug treatment at the
local level and another that allows some nonviolent, non-sex offenders to
get out of prison early.

Lehman said research showed the focus should be on high-risk offenders, so
a third law was passed that canceled parole supervision for low-risk
offenders after their release.

The changes will save an estimated $43 million the first two years, Lehman
said.