Reentry and the Economic Crisis: An Examination of Four States and Their Budget Efforts

• NCJ Number: 230203
• Journal: Corrections Today Volume: 71 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2009 Pages: 42-45
• Author(s): Len Engel; John Larivee; Richard Luedeman
• Date Published: December 2009
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This examination of the impacts of the budget crisis on reentry reform measures focuses on the States of Michigan, Kansas, Washington, and Connecticut.

Abstract

An overview of the corrections budgets of these States indicates that Michigan has a total budget deficit of approximately $2.4 billion, approximately 12 percent of the total budget; the correctional budget is about 9 percent of the total budget, and approximately 5 percent of the 2009 corrections budget went to reentry/community corrections programs. Kansas has a $1.4 billion budget deficit, approximately 23 percent of the total budget; the corrections budget is only about 3 percent of the State budget, and approximately 6.5 percent of the 2009 corrections budget went to reentry/community corrections programs. Washington has a $3.6-billion budget deficit, approximately 23 percent of the total budget; the corrections budget is about 5 percent of the State's operating budget, and approximately 7 percent of the 2009 corrections budget went to reentry/community corrections programs. Connecticut has an $8.5-billion budget deficit, approximately 23 percent of the total budget; the corrections budget is about 5 percent of the State's operating budget, and about 7 percent of the 2009 corrections budget went to reentry/community corrections programs. Michigan has responded to its budget crisis with a commitment to continuing reentry progress. Kansas has been unable to convince lawmakers that the recidivism reduction strategies that led to significantly better parole and probation outcomes should continue to be funded at appropriate levels. Washing has been a leader in reentry reform measures, and this is apparently continuing under the current budget restrictions. Connecticut has been able to preserve the majority of corrections reforms that have been implemented during the past 5 years. Reentry policies are apparently more likely to survive if the State's prison population has shrunk sufficiently to realize significant savings in this area. 3 notes