09/21/2009 - Across America, states are taking a hacksaw to prison budgets – causing an uproar amid concerns about public safety and job losses.
It's the recession that's forcing their hand. Done right, though, the cuts can lead to needed prison reform, without endangering the public.
***
There's only one way to achieve significant savings: Reduce the number of inmates. That's not as scary as it sounds. The Pew Center on the States finds that many states have reached a "tipping point" where additional jailing will have little if any effect in reducing crime.
It pays to imprison the most prolific and violent offenders, Pew reported in a March study. But research shows that jailing lower-level and less frequent lawbreakers – such as drug and property offenders – can cost more than it's worth in crime prevention.
To read the full editorial "An Opportunity in Prison Budget Cuts," visit csmonitor.com.
