Sen. Denton Darrington
Legislative leaders in Boise are against Idaho following the lead of other states including Oregon and California that are releasing inmates from prison early to accommodate budget cuts.
Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes, and Declo Sen. Denton Darrington say Idaho isn’t interested in putting the public at risk, despite the state trying to find ways to slash about $130 million more from Gov. Butch Otter’s proposed fiscal year 2010 and 2011 state budgets after missing revenue targets in December and January.
Oregon passed a law in 2009 to increase the amount of time inmates could shave off their sentences for good conduct. It was designed to save $6 million in the current budget, but lawmakers last week suspended it after problems emerged, including objections from victims’ families.
Some 6,500 California inmates are due to be released early this year, saving the state a projected $500 million, though that’s run into opposition, as well, after one former prisoner was arrested for attempted rape hours after his release.
Darrington, head of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a big supporter of strict sentencing, is keen on drug courts and treatment. But he’s not willing to tinker with reviving “good time,” something Idaho dumped in the mid-1980s.
The state Department of Correction budget has been cut to just $168 million, down from nearly $200 million in 2008. (AP)
