The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

The agreement to restructure the prison system, still tentative until the House and Senate iron out other differences, was one of dozens of breakthroughs likely to speed the Legislature to adjournment by the end of the week. Throughout the day, lawmakers huddled in talks on bills they hope to pass before the session ends.

Budget negotiators predicted they could shake hands on a spending plan for state government by this afternoon, which would signal that the Legislature could depart Friday. Legislative leaders warned that bills with differences unresolved by the time the budget was printed, presented and ready for votes would die.

Progress on a housing bill remained slow. Negotiators met twice, but many differences remained unresolved. They plan an 8 a.m. start to talks today.

Another high-profile negotiation remained problematic. Lawmakers continued to spar with the Douglas administration over a sales tax holiday and a manufacturing tax credit.

At two meetings, the special panel reviewing the proposals peppered administration representatives with questions. Senate Democrats, in a late-day caucus, voiced skepticism about the merits of both suggestions. Gov. Jim Douglas included these ideas in his 15-point economic stimulus package announced April 19.

Prison change

Senate negotiators made clear at their first meeting with their House counterparts that they weren't going to budge on restructuring the prison system in the coming year.

Rep. Jason Lorber, D-Burlington, said the House was "uncomfortable moving forward" and wanted to explore alternatives to closing the Dale facility in Waterbury, moving all female inmates to St. Albans and opening a work camp at the Windsor facility. Male inmates housed in St. Albans would be sent to other facilities.

Bartlett pounced on the proposed postponement. Change was needed, she argued because "the corrections budget is crushing us."

The restructuring is intended to close the most expensive prison -- Dale. It would also move nonviolent male offenders to a new, less-expensive work camp. The savings from the changes would be invested in increased substance abuse treatment and transitional housing -- intended to produce better outcomes for inmates.

Bartlett challenged the House view that there wasn't enough information to make the decision. "If you want to make a big flip in the system, there will never be enough information," she said. "You just have to suck it up and do it."

Late Wednesday afternoon, House negotiators returned to the talks offering to go along with the Senate's restructuring plan.

"It has always been clear that we need dollars to start the programs," Lorber said when the talks concluded for the day. "This lets us take some action that will have long-term impact."

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080501/NEWS02/805010309/1009/NEWS01