Budget could cut supervision of state ex-cons
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.
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.