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WEST VIRGINIA'S PRISON POPULATION HIGHEST IN USA - Calhoun Facing Budget Crunch Over Inmates |
| (12/07/2004) |
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The costs of housing prisoners is one of the USAs biggest industries, mostly footed by taxpayer money. It is becoming a break the bank situation for most of West Virginia's rural counties and a crunch for the rest. West Virginia recorded the largest percentage increase in its inmate population between 1994-2004 than any other southern state. During the period, West Virginia's inmate population increased from 1,962 to 3,942 - a 100.9 percent increase. Another 1,000 inmates are being held in the state's regional jails. Calhoun Commission President Larry McCallister said the cost of housing prisoners in the regional jail is increasing, and at current rates could cost the county between $200,000 to $250,000 a year, or one-fourth the entire county budget. The jail bill and other unfunded mandates are pushing poor, rural counties toward bankruptcy. The problem feeds the state's move toward county consolidation, where bigger counties would likely take over little counties. McCallister said counties like Calhoun are in real trouble because they have a stagnant tax base. West Virginia still has the lowest number of inmates per capita than the 15 other states in the southern region. The state's growth is expected to out pace the region for the next decade. Texas has the largest increase in the number of inmates for the period, with 68,542 new inmates in its system, an 84.1 percent increase. The amount of money West Virginia spent on its correctional program has tripled from $36 million to $110 million. The state spends about $51.76 per day to care for inmates in state facilities, the fourth highest in the region. These costs do not include construction and debt load. West Virginia can expect its inmate population to increase by 58.8 percent by 2009. The percentage jumps to 71.8 percent by 2014. The legislature will eventually have to spend money on new prisons. A new prison could cost about $100 million. West Virginia lawmakers have increased jail sentences for several nonviolent drug crimes and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Lawmakers could consider new alternative sentencing legislation and courts could consider more alternative sentences for nonviolent offenders.
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