Governor Outlines Plans for Single State Corrections System
August 30, 2007
Overcrowding, Demands for Better Care and Inefficiencies Require Action
AUGUSTA – Citing chronic overcrowding problems, double digit growth in costs and a lack of necessary services, Governor John E. Baldacci today released an outline of his plans to consolidate state prisons and county jails.
“We have been on the edge of a crisis for some time,” Governor Baldacci said. “The current system is inefficient and unsustainable. People are getting hurt, they aren’t receiving the care they need, and the burden for this outdated system is falling directly onto the back of property taxpayers. The system has to change.”
Governor Baldacci’s plan would consolidate 15 county jail systems and the state corrections system into a single, statewide system that would be managed by the Department of Corrections.
Over the last three years, the cost for counties to operate jails has increased by about 12 percent per year. During the same time, the cost to operate the state prison system has increased by about 6 percent per year.
“Our current situation is intolerable,” Governor Baldacci said. “We must act. The state prison system and a number of counties with older facilities don’t have enough room to house inmates while other counties have beds left empty.”
By creating a single, combined corrections system, costs can be reduced by $10 million in the first year. By 2015, annual savings will grow to almost $38 million. In addition, the new system would eliminate the need to build new jail and prison facilities in the near future. Without consolidation, four counties and the state are considering new construction for next year.
It cost property taxpayers $66 million in 2006 and an estimated $71.2 million in 2007 to support county jail operations. If nothing is done, that will balloon to $148 million by 2013 and $184 million by 2015, just for the county jails.
As part of the plan, four county jails would be closed: Oxford, Franklin, Piscataquis and Waldo. The plan would also allow for the creation of at least one specialty program – and perhaps two – that would treat prisoners with mental health issues. Currently, there is limited ability to treat psychiatric patients within either the prison or jail systems. The combined system will also benefit from reduced administrative overhead, improved purchasing power and increased flexibility.
“While constraining costs and relieving the pressure on property taxpayers is a high priority, our plan will also lead to better outcomes for prisoners,” Governor Baldacci said. “We can’t continue to have prisoners sleeping on floors, and mental illness and substance abuse going untreated. They are in our custody and we are legally responsible for their welfare. We can’t wait for a crisis that puts the lives of guards and prisoners in jeopardy.”
Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island and Vermont have statewide corrections systems.
“This isn’t new ground. Other places have been very successful with similar initiatives, and Maine can be too,” Governor Baldacci said. “This eliminates unnecessary administration and improves outcomes for prisoners. That saves taxpayers’ money and ultimately makes our communities safer and more secure.”
The plan would freeze the current county assessment for jails, and the state would agree to take over responsibility for all future growth in costs, which would protect property taxpayers from double-digit increases in jail spending and the debt that would have been required to build new county jails.
Draft legislation for the plan has not been completed. The plan could be considered during a special session of the Legislature this fall or when the Legislature reconvenes in January.
“I am committed to putting this plan forward,” Governor Baldacci said. “We know we have a problem, and we know what the solution is. Now, we must muster the political will to take action.”
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Highlights
Creating a Single, Statewide Corrections System
• Maine’s state prison system is overcrowded.
• 10 county jails are overcrowded while 5 are at or under capacity.
• By combining the county jails and the state prison system, more than 300 excess beds become available. The prisoner capacity of the combined system is projected to meet the needs of counties and the state for at least five years.
• The plan creates one, and perhaps two, specialty programs to treat mentally ill patients and improves rehabilitative services and the treatment of substance abuse.
• In the three years from 2004 to 2006, the cost to run county jails grew by an average of 12 percent annually. (2004, $53.4 million; 2005, $60.5 million; 2006, $66.1 million)
• In the three years from 2004 to 2006, the cost to run the state prison system grew by an average of 6 percent annually. (2004, $65.3 million; 2005, $70.9 million; 2006, $75.5 million)
• In the first year, a combined system will save taxpayers at least $10 million.
• By the fifth year, the savings from the combined system grows to $31 million, and by 2015 it grows to $38 million.
• The plan freezes county assessments to pay for jails at their current levels, protecting property taxpayers from future growth in costs.
• Four jails – Oxford, Franklin, Piscataquis and Waldo – are closed under the plan.
• The combined system will capitalize on reduced administrative overhead, increased purchasing power, unified contract negotiations for services, and staffing flexibility and training consistency.
