Fiscal Highlights - November 2015
Corrections' Populations Status November 2016 -
Gary R. Syphus ( PDF)The main cost drivers of the Department of Corrections are the (1) prison population and (2) adult probation and parole (AP and P) populations, and related resources to manage the populations. These populations require significant resources in the form of correctional officers, housing, food, transportation, treatment, medical care, and so forth. In general, the greater these populations, the more resources that need to be expended, and conversely, the smaller the population, the fewer resources that need to be used. The Legislature should consider important questions when determining the budget to manage these populations such as, "What is the status of current prison population and what is the projected growth, if any?" In addition, the Legislature may ask, "What is the right balance of resources to manage and treat these populations?" Below are the two main populations - the combined state inmate population inside the Draper and Gunnison prison and county jails, and the state offenders on probation and parole within the community. The prison population shows a significant decrease over the last 12 months - putting less pressure on resources used to manage this population. Interestingly, this decrease developed before the implementation of the policy change related to the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI). The Department does not predict any new prison growth but expects additional AP and P growth for the new fiscal year and should have updated projections for the 2016 General Session.  Inverse from what the prison population shows, the Adult Probation and Parole Population grew over the last 12 months - putting additional pressure on AP and P officers and related resources that manage these populations.  Presumably with this trend and an additional change in policy as a result of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, this may be a trend for the short-term and long-term. The Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee began examining these populations during interim meetings and identified some potential resources that could be reallocated to better manage both of these populations and will require more attention during the General Session in order to best optimize resources against these cost drivers. |
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Fiscal Analyst
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