Prison Math: What Are the Costs and Benefits of Leading the World in Locking Up Human Beings?
Author: Karen Gershenhorn.; Roslyn Myers.
Source: Volume 17, Number 01, Winter 2013 , pp.5-7(3)
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Abstract:
In 2003 and 2004, Pennsylvania tightened its drunk-driving law, creating a large increase in low-level offenders sentenced to county jail and probation; DUI sentences for state prison terms also increased. The state prison system has experienced difficulty in providing required treatment programs to these inmates before they can be paroled. The waitlist for one of the most commonly required programs includes nearly 8,000 people, with an average wait of 543 days, creating a system-wide bottleneck, especially affecting those with short sentences. This has resulted in prison stays six months beyond when the prisoners could otherwise be released—at an annual cost nearly $49 million.Keywords: Diversionary programs, educational opportunities, community college availability, halfway houses
Affiliations:
; 2: Managing Editor.