RETHINKING STATE PRISONS

Against the rising cost of prisons, the state may add 1,000 new beds.
Reduction should be the goal.

Despite one of the leanest budget years in recent memory, South
Carolina will likely add more than 1,000 prison beds this year.
Another 768 beds have already been planned as three 256-bed expansions
to medium- and maximum-security prisons. The state Department of
Corrections' strategic plan calls for planning and building another
1,800 beds by 2005.

Given the recession's hold on state budget revenues and new spending
priorities related to homeland security, it would be wise for South
Carolina to aggressively explore strategies that will reduce the need
for new beds in the state's prison system.

The New York Times reports that several states under similar financial
pressures are already rethinking the length of prison sentences and
instituting early release programs to alleviate the prison population.
Shorter sentences and early release may not have as much political
appeal here. However, this state could achieve the same goal by
expanding its programs that provide alternative sentences for
nonviolent, youthful and first-time offenders.

Also, more emphasis should be placed on decreasing the recidivism
rate. Other states are finding innovative ways to offer
self-improvement to those prisoners who are eager to turn their lives
around. Reducing the number of repeat offenders would have a
significant impact on reducing the prison population. Ironically, the
first programs to go in tough budget years are usually those intended
to help prisoners successfully reintegrate into society.

As it stands, South Carolina will spend about $370 million on
Corrections operations next year. Taxpayers will spend more than
$17,000 to house, clothe and feed each of inmate. While the cost to
incarcerate a prisoner has increased 37 percent since 1988, the
exponential leap in the overall cost of prisons is a reflection of the
booming inmate population. Over the past 13 years, the inmate
population has increased 73 percent, from 12,660 inmates in 1988 to
21,946 in 2001.

In cost-saving moves, Corrections has cut staff and closed two
facilities, including the former Givens Youth Correctional Facility in
Simpsonville. More job cuts are likely this year, although it is
understood that cutting staff isn't a wise long-term solution. There
is a danger of compromising safety and order when the state tries to
run labor-intensive prisons with an insufficient number of workers.

Given the escalating cost of incarceration, the smartest way to lessen
the financial burden of prisons is to cut the need for those beds.
That means reducing recidivism and implementing alternative sentencing
programs that have demonstrated some success in ensuring first-time
offenders don't commit more crimes.