WaterWings
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Registered: 2-3-2006
Location: Lexington KY (CB)
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Early release of prisoners has effects locally according to Pulaski Commonwealt Attorney
January 4, 2012
By HEATHER TOMLINSON, CJ Staff Writer
The Commonwealth Journal Wed Jan 04, 2012, 07:00 AM EST
Somerset —
The release of nearly 1,000 state prisoners on Tuesday, a move approved by lawmakers in an effort to save money, is sure to have far-reaching effects
across Kentucky — including in Pulaski County.
“They (state lawmakers) are attempting to save money on a small part of the state budget, but that’s the part of the budget that protects the public,”
said Pulaski County Commonwealth’s Attorney Eddy F. Montgomery, who has long been an opponent of the early release program since rumblings about the
cost-saving measure began in 2008.
The changes approved by lawmakers last year allow prisoners within six months of their release date to begin leaving Tuesday under the supervision of
Probation and Parole, according to reports from the Associated Press. The prisoners will be given counseling and help with finding jobs and housing.
The move, only one part of a wide overhaul, is designed to cut $40 million annually from the Department of Corrections budget and to keep inmates from
returning. The Department of Corrections says it costs about $21,000 a year to house a state prisoner in Kentucky. In comparison, it costs about $987
each year to supervise out-of-custody convicts.
Montgomery said the short-term savings by the state are significant, but he said those savings don’t take into account the additional cost should
those prisoners — convicted on a variety of non-violent crimes — commit crimes again.
“They never figure up the cost of the crimes they will commit again,” Montgomery said. “The people they’re letting out have been given breaks and they
show they can’t comply with the rules.”
Montgomery’s last comment was in reference to the fact that many non-violent offenders are offered options besides jail, such as parole and drug
rehab, before being sentenced to prison time.
Pulaski County Jailer Mike Harris said his detention center will see an impact from the exodus. The local jail receives around $33 per day to house
state prisoners. That’s compared to the $27 per day it costs local taxpayers to house local, non-paying inmates.
“I can’t tell that it does much good,” Harris said. “Most of the time when they (prisoners) are released they usually get put right back into jail.”
Harris said he was notified that he would be losing approximately six state prisoners as a result of the early release program.
“It’ll cost me about $200 per day,” Harris said, about the release of the six prisoners.
Harris said he hasn’t seen a major impact yet, but the program is supposed to continue, with another early release date set for sometime in February
or March, according to Montgomery.
“The state is saving money, but it is hurting the counties,” Harris said.
Montgomery said information he’s received suggests that 10 convicts should return back to Pulaski County as parolees.
“There’s no doubt that the vast majority of these people will commit another crime,” Montgomery said.
Full story here:
http://somerset-kentucky.com/local/x1818106682/Early-release...
WHATEVER floats your boat Dude!
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Six Pack Summer
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Location: Holly Bay Marina
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If it costs $27 per day to house the prisoner then why is the state paying $33? Reduce what you pay would be one way to reduce some costs. Bottom
line, most let out will be back shortly.
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E_HILLMAN
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Location: North Central KY (Leesburg) JRM
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Create factories in the jails. Make them farm their food, etc etc etc. That will reduce costs.
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Buy Made in the USA, the job you save just might be your own.
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Mary Lou 2
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Location: Faywood Ky.( LFM)
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They cant do that Hillman thats inhumane. Three hots and a cot and a gym and a library and TV and i can go on and on. Most of these people dont
respect themselves or they wouldnt be there.
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Six Pack Summer
Master Member
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Location: Holly Bay Marina
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Last night on the Cinn news interviewed an early releasee from the Kenton Co jail. Young girl and her mother and the girl was smiling and describing
what she was in jail for right in front of the camera. No shame or remorse. Had it been me and saw that camera coming I would have done everything I
could do to avoid being on camera for the world to see my dumba__ self. Not her, she was kind of proud of it, so was Mom, no Dad in the picture, but
thats another story.
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fun4all
Senior Member
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Location: Indy Westside
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All part of the entitlement attitude six pack. For alot of the criminals jail is better than their living situation. It is easier to be provided for
in jail. They are probably guaranteed more rights in prison than out of it.
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