The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

Under close scrutiny in the report was the state’s 25-year-old system that helps determine where the state’s roughly 8,900 inmates are held — maximum, medium or minimum security facilities.

‘‘Until we take a look at our classification system and get an accurate view of who was in the prison, we can’t accurately’’ move forward with other key components of prison improvement, said Robyn Mills, chairwoman of the Iowa Board of Corrections.

Currently, the system takes into account variables such as records of violence and age to determine where an inmate should be held. But the report said that system isn’t used consistently among case managers and doesn’t provide an accurate assessment ‘‘due to missing or poorly defined risk factors.’’

While hundreds of Iowa inmates are currently eligible for minimum security, corrections officials said many remain in higher security facilities because the state lacks minimum security space.

Prison officials say putting inmates in minimum-security facilities often links them with key job and training programs that help them cope with life once they are released. That, in turn, reduces the chances that offenders return to crime.

Developing the new classification system could cost as much as $500,000, and officials said work will likely begin this year.

The Durrant Group also proposes that the state expand the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women, and consolidate all female inmates at the Mitchellville location.

Officials said that would help lower-risk offenders to be located in medium or minimum security facilities, which can offer more programs to assist with rehabilitation.

http://www.timesrepublican.com/News/articles.asp?articleID=8548