The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

"It reflects what's going on in the streets and the attempt to deal with it," McCarthy said.
More inmates now have to share cells, McCarthy said. "Facilities are taxed," he said. However, he said the jail is not at the point where it would be forced to release people early.

Questions remain about why the inmate population is growing, as arrests in Springfield haven't risen during the last year. Ashe said the greatest increase is in convicts rather than suspects awaiting trial. He said prosecutors and the courts may be processing cases faster.

State police senior crime analyst Debra J. Piehl said local and state police have made 5,248 arrests in Springfield so far this year, slightly less than the 5,272 made in the same period last year. In July, August and September there were 1,713 arrests, down from 1,858 in 2004.
Ashe said that last year, the average jail sentence in Hampden County was 11 months, but he believes longer sentences are being handed down this year, due to seriousness of offenses.

Probation and parole violators may be under greater scrutiny, Ashe said, while there are increased efforts in Holyoke and elsewhere to find suspects with outstanding warrants.

The number of women in the system rose about 28 percent during the last 12 months, Ashe said. Yesterday, the facilities held 1,860 men and 190 women, while 130 to 140 women was more typical in prior years.

State Department of Corrections spokeswoman Kelly A. Nantel said the number of state prison inmates has risen over 10,000, after having dipped closer to 9,000 a few years ago.
Hampden County District Attorney William M. Bennett and Springfield Police Sgt. John M. Delaney said the growing numbers probably reflect heightened law enforcement.
Bennett cited major drug busts as possible contributors. "There's been a lot of very big arrests," he said.
Delaney said police have stepped up their efforts. "The narcotics division has done a tremendous job in the last month, targeting areas that are frequented by gang members."
Acting Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet developed a task force of officers from the street crime, narcotics and juvenile divisions whose sole responsibility is to respond to city trouble spots, he said.
Ashe wrote Oct. 12 to Secretary for Administration and Finance Thomas Trimarco, citing an "alarming" 16.3 percent increase in inmates between March and late September.
Eight units at the jail now house 107 inmates each, Ashe said, and an extra correctional officer is required for each unit during certain shifts. Meanwhile, expenses for food, medicine and supplies are growing.
"Since becoming a state agency, I have never asked for supplemental funding," Ashe wrote, adding, "Now, I have no choice, I need your help!"
Ashe asked Trimarco for $1.35 million for 30 correctional officers and $1.28 million for food and medical expenses. Trimarco's office did not return a call yesterday.
The Hampden County Sheriff's Department budget stands at $55.16 million. However, Ashe said he expects a $533,000 increase in expenses this year for gas, electricity and fuel.
Yesterday's correctional system population was 2,050.
©2005 The Republican