Sixty percent of the new commitments to Virginia's prison system have a history of substance abuse, the director of the Department of Corrections told the House Appropriations Committee today.
About one-fourth of the new entrants committed drug offenses, Gene M. Johnson added, as he outlined Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's proposals to save money and manage inmate behavior.
Saying some people could be let out early without endangering society if they behave while in prison, Johnson said "we want to lock up people we are afraid of and not ones we're mad at."
Currently, inmates who have served longer than a year can be released 30 days early. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has proposed giving the Department of Corrections the authority to release some nonviolent offenders up to 90 days early at a savings to the state of $5 million a year.
Republican budget writers greeted the proposals skeptically.
"This is a wild-haired idea," said Del. Robert Tata, R-Virginia Beach. Tata said people would be released into a bad economic environment in which they would be unable to get jobs and would go out and commit crimes again.
Del. Beverly J. Sherwood, R-Frederick County, said the Kaine plan to release inmates 60 days earlier might "unravel" the truth-in-sentencing program that began with Republican Gov. George Allen in 1995.
The proposal would free up state prison space, so inmates now kept in local jails could be moved to the state prison system, Johnson said. Then the state would not have to reimburse local jailers, he added.
Johnson estimated 835 inmates now in state prisons and 364 in jails could qualify for early release.
The Department of Corrections has closed five prisons employing 702 people. Johnson said all but 30 have retired or found jobs elsewhere in the system. Expected layoffs of 300 people will be fewer than 30, he said.
Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement