Budget could cut supervision of state ex-cons

By Associated Press

Summary

To help balance the budget Gov. Chris Gregoire has asked the Department of Corrections to cut $125 million from spending plans.

Story Published: Jan 5, 2009 at 8:50 AM PDT

Story Updated: Jan 5, 2009 at 8:50 AM PDT

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - To help balance the budget Gov. Chris Gregoire has asked the Department of Corrections to cut $125 million from spending plans.

DOC Secretary Eldon Vail say the state may release some offenders earlier, increase use of monitoring bracelets and reduce supervision of ex-cons.

The Tacoma News Tribune reports eliminating supervision for people who served time for gross misdemeanors would save $31 million.

Eliminating supervision for offenders considered a low-to-moderate risk would save $10 million. The saving would come from cutting jobs formerly known as parole officers.

Even after the cuts, the prison system will have 72 more employees and $53 million more in the next two years than it has in the current budget.