Transcript One in 31: The Long Reach of American Corrections

One in 31
The Long Reach of American Corrections
National Partnership on
Alcohol Misuse and Crime
November 10, 2009
Adam Gelb, Director
Public Safety
Performance Project
Pew Center on the States
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Window of Opportunity for a New Approach
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Advances in Science of Behavior Change, Supervision Technology
– Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment, Motivational Interviewing
– Third generation risk assessment tools
– Accurate, on site, rapid-result drug screens, GPS, alcohol monitoring
Public Attention Elsewhere, Supportive of Alternatives
– Crime/drugs low on public radar amidst economy, health care, wars
– Polls regularly show 70% (+/-) support concept of “alternatives” for “non-violent”
Trend toward Managing for Results
– Shift in focus from inputs/outputs to outcomes across government
Fiscal Crisis
– State corrections spending now over $50B per year
– Second fastest growing state budget category behind Medicaid
– 1 in 15 general fund dollars; 5 states spending more on prisons than higher ed
Diminishing Returns on Public Safety
– Growing evidence and recognition that we can’t “build our way out”
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Source: Vera Institute of Justice
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Cost Cutting Strategies in Corrections
1. Operating Efficiencies
2. Recidivism Reduction Strategies
3. Sentencing and Release Policies
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Cutting Corrections Costs
Operating Efficiencies
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Reduce Health Services (medical, mental, dental)
Reduce Food Services
Eliminate Pay Increases, Reduce Benefits/Overtime
Reduce Staff or Freeze Hiring
Eliminate/Reduce Programs or Renegotiate Contracts
Close/Consolidate Facilities
Delay Expansion or Construction of New Facilities
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Cutting Corrections Costs
Recidivism Reduction Strategies
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Sort Offenders by Risk to Public Safety
Base Interventions on Science
Harness Technology
Impose Swift and Certain Sanctions
Create Incentives for Success
Measure Progress
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Cutting Corrections Costs
Sentencing and Release Policies
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Redefine Criminal Offenses
Reclassify Criminal Offenses
Expand Eligibility for Community Corrections
Strengthen Non-Prison Alternatives/Reentry
Relax Mandatory Minimum Sentences
Reduce Time-to-Serve Requirements
Establish Sentencing Information Systems/Guidelines
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Cutting Corrections Costs
Take Away
Efficiencies
Are Necessary
But Not
Sufficient
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One in 31
The Long Reach of American Corrections
National Partnership on
Alcohol Misuse and Crime
November 10, 2009
Adam Gelb, Director
Public Safety
Performance Project
Pew Center on the States