Budget Briefs: Corrections Budget Breakdown

As Indiana’s prison population increases and the related costs to local and state governments climb, the state has begun looking at how other states have reformed their sentencing structures and reduced offender recidivism.

Funding: Overall, Department of Correction (DOC) appropriations in the 2011 state budget have declined from those made in the previous biennium. In FY2012 and FY2013, DOC was allocated a total $1.44 billion in state and federal funding to run and maintain Indiana’s prisons. That amount represents a $28 million or 1.9 percent decrease from the funding level in FY2010 and FY2011.

Prison population: The state must also contend with a steadily increasing prison population. From 2003 to 2010, Indiana’s prison population increased from 24,230 inmates to 29,370, a 21 percent increase during the seven-year span. Maximum security offenders made up 29 percent of the total prison population in 2010, up from 22 percent in 2005.

Population Management: In dealing with Indiana’s rising prison population, the DOC has pushed to increase internal capacity, reduce admissions and increase releases. To increase capacity, the department has expanded existing prisons by building additional housing units. The department also moved to restructure front-end sentencing to reduce admissions through increased use of the Community Corrections Program. The Community Corrections program has been implemented in 77 counties and diverts low-level offenders from prison to home detention, work release, day reporting and other programs. Finally, by restructuring credit time earned through rehabilitative and education programs, the DOC can increase releases.

Study Released: Justice Reinvestment in Indiana

On Wednesday December 15 the governor endorsed recommendations on changes to Indiana’s criminal code and sentencing policies based on a recently concluded study. With the governor’s endorsement, the recommendations will now go before the Criminal Code Evaluation Commission and are expected to be included in a legislation to be filed in January.

According to the governor’s press release,

…the state will improve public safety and security for Hoosiers by concentrating Department of Correction resources on the state’s most violent criminals and by taking a new and smarter approach to those who commit lesser offenses.

Announced in June 2010 by Gov. Daniels, the review was conducted through a partnership with the Pew Center on the States and the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center (CSG).

For a quick summary of the study, visit the CSG website >>

Download the complete report Justice Reinvestment in Indiana (PDF)>>

Alternative sentencing and community corrections

The Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee traditionally has a heavy interim workload, and this year is no exception. Among the topics assigned for review in 2010, the committee is looking at state’s alternative sentencing programs, community corrections and parole and probation matters.

Despite the first decline in nearly 40 years in state prison populations nationwide, Indiana’s prison population increased by 5.3% – more than any other state – from 2008 to 2009.    – “Prison Count 2010” by the Pew Center on the States

Watch the video update recorded after the meeting by committee member Sen. Lindel Hume of Princeton:

Also from the committee hearing:

• Kellie Bittorf, Lake Co. Community Corrections Director presented the local program’s 2009-2010 Annual Report, including success statistics.
• The Dept. of Corrections also presented information on the state’s Community Corrections Substance Abuse Programs.

The Criminal Code Evaluation Commission, another group that meets during the legislative interim, will also being playing a similar role as part of a comprehensive review of Indiana’s criminal code and sentencing policies. Announced in June 2010 by Gov. Daniels, the review will be conducted through a partnership with the Pew Center on the States and the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center and is aimed at improving public safety by reducing recidivism and managing the growth of Indiana’s prison population. A steering committee will share proposals with the Criminal Code Evaluation Commission, which will provide recommendations to the General Assembly by November 1, 2011.

Read earlier posts on the Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Committee’s work on Sexting>> and The impact of methamphetamine>>