PRISON SPENDING CAUSES CONCERNS BUT MOST RESIDENTS DON'T WANT EARLY RELEASES

Jeff Mayers State government reporter

Prison populations keep going up and up and up. Prison spending keeps going
up and up.

But a new survey of state residents suggests many are worried about
spending too much on prison programs.

The survey was done by Harris Interactive for the Wisconsin Policy Research
Institute, a conservative Mequon think tank.

The survey's release today comes as a panel led by Gov. Tommy Thompson
prepares to approve prison-expansion projects totaling $52.5 million.

When asked their view on prison spending, 46 percent of the 1,002 Wisconsin
adults surveyed in late July said state policymakers "should not reduce
spending to increase spending elsewhere" and 46 percent said the state
should "reduce spending to increase spending elsewhere."

But when survey participants were told "some inmates would likely be
released early on parole because of lack of space," the numbers changed: 29
percent endorsed lower prison spending while 63 percent opposed it.

A Department of Corrections spokesman said the poll reflects what residents
tell their elected officials. "They want to feel more safe. They want more
stringent laws," said Bill Clausius. "The result is growing correctional
spending."

The four projects on today's state Building Commission agenda are part of
Thompson's proposed building budget now before the Legislature. But
operational costs for the projects won't kick in until after the 1999-2001
budget cycle ends, Clausius said.

Even so, Thompson has asked the Legislature to approve an $81.6 million, or
10.8 percent, boost in the 1999-2000 fiscal year over the current $757
million-a-year spending base to run the Department of Corrections.

Lawmakers are behind schedule in finishing their budget work, but they're
almost certain to approve some boost in prison spending.

The state's growing prison population and the need to staff new prisons --
such as the supermaximum-security prison in Boscobel opening this fall --
practically ensure higher prison budgets.

"We keep going up every week," Clausius said.

The total adult state prison population is 19,398 -- including 3,824
prisoners in out-of-state facilities, he said. In addition, more than
64,000 offenders on parole or probation have to be supervised in the
community.

The poll found that only 26 percent of residents found it "acceptable ...
to have some of the prisoners released early on parole to live in your
neighborhood."

"Combating crime and violence," meanwhile, ranked third (22 percent) when
respondents were asked which issue needs the "most attention from Wisconsin
state government." "Reforming the tax system" ranked first at 32 percent
and "improving public education" ranked second at 25 percent. A year ago,
the poll found those top three issues receiving about equal support.

The poll's margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.