PRISON POPULATION AT ALL-TIME HIGH, GROWING IN GEORGIA

Slowing Economy Could Mean More State Inmates

ATLANTA -- At least one Georgia industry isn't expected to slow down in a
weakening economy. But state officials aren't celebrating the news.
Georgia's prison system, with a population of over 45,000, has already
reached record highs during a decade of economic prosperity.

With tougher economic times ahead, prison officials predict the figures
will climb even higher at the same time a state budget crunch will make
them trickier to handle.

"Our prison populations do nothing but grow," said Department of
Corrections spokesman Mike Light. "Even in good economic times, like we've
had up until now, the population's continuing to grow."

Several factors have contributed to the growth.

First is the growth in the number of all people -- not just inmates -- in
Georgia. The state's population grew 26 percent during the past decade,
reaching 8.2 million, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.

Those figures made Georgia the nation's sixth fastest-growing state and the
10th most populous overall.

Second, the inmates who come into Georgia prisons are staying longer,
thanks to tough sentencing laws and policies.

The state's "two-strikes" law requires a life sentence for a handful of
violent felonies. For 20 types of crimes, inmates must serve at least 90
percent of their sentence before they can even be considered for parole,
thanks to a separate law.

And the state Board of Pardons and Paroles tends to be strict in deciding
who stays in prison and who gets out early.

"Our time served is up higher than ever in our history," Light said. "Once
they come in, they're not going anywhere."

As a result, prison growth in Georgia has been averaging about double the
national average -- growing about 7 percent a year compared to 3-4 percent
nationally.

Meanwhile, state budget cuts may make dealing with the growth tough. As
Georgia's economy slows, Gov. Roy Barnes has ordered 2.5 percent cuts for
this year and 5 percent cuts next year.

There's no doubt about it; it's going to affect everybody," said state Sen.
Greg Hecht, D-Jonesboro, chairman of the Senate's corrections committee.
You've got cuts in every department."

Instead of looking for money for new buildings, Hecht said, the legislature
is concentrating on funding mental-health treatment, drug treatment and
other alternatives to incarceration -- particularly among juveniles and
young inmates -- to keep down the number of people returning to prison.

"What you're trying to do is steer away from the hardening of some of these
criminals," Hecht said.

The Department of Corrections already has space for 3,000 more inmates
either planned or under construction. Although some projects -- including
diversion centers in Athens and Augusta --- have been delayed due to budget
cuts, Light said the department should be prepared to handle growth at
least for the near future.