The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

President Pro Tem Robert Geddes has received a lot of attention in the past few days. A file full of feedback - interviews with the BBC and coverage on CNN all discussing his unorthodox approach to Idaho's overcrowded prisons.

Sen. Robert Geddes (R) Soda Springs: "My initial question was - why does every prisoner need his own bed? We do need to look at options that are perhaps unusual or unorthodox or crazy even to determine how best we can manage the scarce resources of our state."

Geddes says his idea of having prisoners work and sleep in shifts and double up on beds could be a workable solution to the growing cost of managing Idaho's prison population. The Department of Corrections says prisons in the gem state have been over capacity for three years. Some are being sent to county jails - others are shipped out of state at an extra cost to the state. Correction Director Tom Beauclair has asked lawmakers to consider doling out $180 million for three new prisons this year, prisons he says would be full by the time they're built.

Tom Beauclair Department Of Corrections: "On the surface, it sounds like a wonderful idea and I think that's why it generates the interest that it does."

Beauclair says he's not sure the around-the-clock idea would work. He says it might be difficult to manage prisoners in emergency situations - and worries the court may frown upon extra prisoners in existing facilities.

Tom Beauclair, Department of Corrections: "They told us basically that we don't have enough space to add any more inmates, so i think the court would intervene if we did anything like what's being presented."

Geddes admits his idea would require a lot of changes to be made in existing facilities - and right now, he has no plan to introduce legislation. But he hopes the discussion his idea is generating may lead to a long-term solution.

Sen. Robert Geddes (R) Soda Springs: "I think it's an idea that could be workable, if it's the will of the people to make it happen. "