SC Might Release Inmates Early to Cut Budget
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Prison early release
State budget problems could mean the early release of 3,400 prison inmates.
photo by Robert Kittle
Possible budget cuts could mean releasing 3,400 inmates early.
South Carolina’s budget problems could force the state Department of Corrections to close some prisons and release thousands of inmates early.
In a memorandum to the chairman of the SC House Ways and Means Committee, Corrections director Jon Ozmint says he and the department are not advocating the plan. But legislative budget staff asked the agency for recommendations about how it could cut the budget. “For this reason only, we are submitting this response. In doing so, we are compelled to put forth the safest avenue to make the drastic and inherently dangerous cuts that budget writers and lawmakers may force upon this agency,“ the memorandum says.
The proposal would close four prisons—one minimum security, two medium security prisons and one maximum security. Closing the four would account for a reduction of about 3,400 inmates. The inmates who would be released would be those about to be released within one to six months anyway. “Basically, inmates would be released in the same order, only earlier,“ according to the memo.
The cost of running the four prisons for this fiscal year is about $36 million.
The only other option, which Ozmint says would be even more dangerous than releasing inmates early, would be to eliminate some or all programs within the department. He says doing that would jeopardize the safety of staff and inmates, and would likely lead to federal lawsuits. All local jail inspections would be eliminated, along with all classroom programs and addiction treatment. All prisoner services and even visitation and chaplain programs might also be eliminated.
The memo says, “Implementation of most of these cuts will create inmate idleness, hopelessness and anger. Most of these cuts will decrease the number of employees inside the walls of our prisons. This will result in an increase in inmate assaults on inmates, inmate assaults on employees, escape attempts, homicides, suicides and hostage takings and riots.“
For that reason, and because that option would not save as much money, the department says closing prisons and releasing inmates early is a better option. But it’s not advocating either option, saying lawmakers should allow the agency to run a budget deficit instead. “We were answering their question, ‘How would you shave $34 million off of your budget?‘ And in order to get to that, it would entail us closing four prisons,“ Ozmint says.
But he wants it to be clear that it’s not something he’s recommending or advocating. “We think the best option is not early releases but to fund the Department of Corrections, and for six years we’ve been saying that,“ he says.
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Reader Reactions
So why not house arrest for state trustees or inmates who have proven to be trustworthy and dependable. The responsibility of support lies with the family. The trustee/inmate could still fulfill his responsibility to the facility in which he is serving time by working mon - fri and being on call for the weekend. This would not only prevent the cost of outside labor but would place the burden of responsiblity for meals, clothing, healthcare on the family instead of the correctional facility. It could also be required that the family member with which the inmate would be residing to put up bond of a significant amount.
i think if their going to release inmates early they should start with the one that are at the work release center now an do not have that much time it could help with getting the woman an children off welfare an food stamps an medicaid so the mother an father could get out an work to help each other plus help the mother an father bond with their children it has to have a impact on the children when they they see their parents for 2 or 3 hours an wonder why they can’t stay with them the little ones don’t understand it’s hard to hear a 3 year old to tell his dad i wont to stay with you i no everyone wont’s out with are with out children an also look at their offense an how much trouble are if any they have caused since they have been their thank you for letting me write this
My son being an inmate in the SCDC system let me tell you how they have already cut budget. He has health issues and is now being given breakfast and lunch via a bag in morn. 2 boiled eggs,2 biscuits,single serve bowl cornflakes,2 slices bread,a spoon of peanut butter.Now this is real healthy. Suffer yea they do.
Did the DOC ever consider doing what Joe Arpaio is doing [successfully] in Arizona. Keep GUILTY and SENTENCED inmates LOCKED UP until they are appropriately scheduled for release, and keep them in a tent city, no coffee, no cigarettes, no TV, balogna sandwiches and white bread with water for meals. THEN, you drive down the costs. The serendipity of this is that you now have a deterrent to keep the career criminal (read: institutionalized criminal) from wanting to come back to prison. Tent cities, razor wire, heavily armed guards with orders to shoot attempting escapees. Times are tough for everyone, prisoners included. Everybody has to suffer.
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