The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

The union representing about 10,800 officers and prison workers delivered the memo during a meeting with administration officials last week, at which the union was warned that workers could be furloughed, union President Don McNany said.

Inmates pay $5 for a "sick call," and their co-pay for prescriptions is $5, McNany said.

"I'm sure you or I would like a health plan like that," he said.

As state officials wrestle with ways to reduce a projected $2.3 billion budget deficit, McNany thinks it's time that inmates pay more for basic services.

Pennsylvania has about 46,000 inmates and more than 8,000 corrections officers. In the fiscal year that begins July 1, it will cost state taxpayers $34,844 to house, feed and clothe each inmate, according to Rendell's budget proposed Wednesday. Health care costs average $4,624 per inmate.

The total amount Pennsylvania spends on corrections would increase from $1.64 billion to $1.8 billion under Rendell's spending plan. He proposes adding 2,400 beds in prisons and community corrections facilities.

Requiring prisoners to pay for toilet paper isn't high on Rendell's priority list as he grapples with the deficit, spokesman Chuck Ardo said.

"The yield from their suggestions would produce little money, while at the same time agitating the prison population," Ardo said. "It seems that little good would come from it."

McNany thinks the state could save millions of dollars by making prisoners pay. He contends most inmates have money to spend at the institutions. And those who can afford it should contribute more to their health care, he said.

Laying off corrections officers when prisons are "overcrowded and understaffed" would court serious trouble, McNany said.

He contends that prices at the commissaries are below what consumers pay.

Susan McNaughton, a Corrections Department spokeswoman, said: "We have to remember, (inmates) are only getting paid 19 cents to 42 cents an hour." Cigarettes are full price at commissaries, she said.

The state pays some inmates who don't have jobs 72 cents a day for "idle time," McNaughton confirmed.

"You mean for just sitting around? That is totally ridiculous," said state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Penn Hills, who thinks the House should consider making inmates pay more for some provisions and benefits.

Those who get money for sitting in cells are paid because "through no fault of their own" jobs are unavailable, McNaughton said. Inmates who refuse to work or attend classes do not get paid, she said.

Inmates receive 10 postage-paid envelopes for free each month. Tax money pays for that, McNaughton said, but inmates' money is recycled back from commissary and snack machine purchases to reimburse the state for postage.

To reduce costs, the union memo suggests that prison meals could be reduced to cereal and toast or eggs for breakfast, soup and sandwich for lunch, and a full dinner. Now the choices for breakfast vary daily, ranging from scrambled eggs one day to pastry on another and hot cakes the next, McNaughton said.

Inmates should pay a fee for meals, the union argues. "They probably eat better than you and I do," McNany said.

Inmates pay if they want cable TV in their cells, McNaughton said. She said a $1.50 reduction in cable bills last month was a one-time reduction paid for with commissary profits.

If inmates destroy their clothing, they must pay for replacements, McNaughton said.
From Lois.....
---Maybe McNany should spend 20 years in prison eating the food and getting the "health care" and then he can report back on how it is.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_610309.html