PITTSBURGH – Reforming the corrections system and finding cost savings were the topics as Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa joined Auditor General Jack Wagner and Senate Judiciary Chairman Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery) at a news conference at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).
The officials discussed the need for sentencing reform and alternative sentencing programs to curb Pennsylvania’s increasing prison costs. Pennsylvania led the nation in prison population growth in 2009, adding 2,122 inmates.
“The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections annual budget has grown from $94 million in 1980 to nearly $1.9 billion as proposed by the governor for the coming fiscal year,” Costa said. “This kind of growth is unsustainable and represents a very large portion of the overall state budget.”
The lawmakers were also joined by Dr. Alfred Blumstein (bottom photo), professor of urban systems and operations research at CMU, who detailed the costs of the state’s extensive prison system.
Costa and Wagner said they support Greenleaf’s legislation (SB 100), which calls for a renewed focus on alternative sentencing for non-violent offenders and a greater emphasis on programs designed to reduce recidivism.