The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

According to the fiscal impact statement, “The proposed legislation could, however, significantly alter the need for new prisons. Based on the current inmate population forecast, it is anticipated that the state will need to open a new 1,500-2,000 bed prison in 2011 and at least a 1,000-bed facility in 2013. The current estimated construction costs of these facilities range from $110-125 million each and the annual operating costs would be approximately $25 million each. The proposed legislation could result in delaying the need for a new prison until 2013, thereby eliminating the need for one in FY 2011.”

Much testimony was given to the fact that too many of those incarcerated are nonviolent offenders who pose no true public-safety risk and do not need to be incarcerated.

In previous discussions, a representative from the Virginia Departments of Corrections stated that “we should remember four numbers - 6, 6, 100 million, and 225 million.” He stated that, at the current rate, we needed six new prisons over the course of the next six years at a cost to build of $100 million dollars a piece and a cost of $225 million dollars a year to operate. But the dollars and sense meant nothing to three of the four delegates who voted on Friday to pass the bill by indefinitely, effectively killing it for the year.

Del. Todd Gilbert of Wood stock disregarded the 13,000-plus signature petitions presented by Lillie Branch Kennedy of RIHD – Resource Information Help for the Disadvantaged. Del. Gilbert stated that the petition signatures didn’t hold much weight for him because he felt that there was already enough incentive for prisoners to do better, and he later joined delegates Cline and Poindexter in putting the bill to bed.

The only legislator on the subcommittee who seemed to pay attention to the room full of supporters was Del. James Shuler of Blacksburg, who moved the committee to at least consider a trial run of the legislation and implored the committee allow this important cost-savings legislation to go to the floor where the full House could vote on the vital measure. However, Del. Shuler’s motion died for the lack of a second. Del. Shuler is the only Democrat on the subcommittee.

Do Virginians truly realize how much of the state budget is eaten by corrections? Do Virginians actually realize how many nonviolent, non-risk individuals are incarcerated? Do Virginians realize how many services are neglected in order to support the growing corrections budget? Well, perhaps it doesn’t really matter, since just three legislators can keep ignoring the pleas of citizens and stop legislation from getting any further than their small subcommittee.

Keith Wm. DeBlasio is the executive director of AdvoCare Inc.
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