Missouri, which had been faced with possibly having to build more prisons, is now looking to downsize the prisons it already operates.
We believe Gov. Mike Parson's plan to downsize six of the state's prisons could help to improve safety while saving the state money.
Two of the prisons are located in Mid-Missouri, specifically in Algoa and Tipton. Other sites would be at Boonville, Farmington, Northeast (in Bowling Green), and Western Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (in St. Joseph).
Last year, the state closed a prison in Cameron, using the savings to increase staff pay and improve safety in the other prisons.
As we recently reported, the latest plan is expected to save the state about $6.5 million and avoid another $6.6 million in maintenance. The savings would be used for infrastructure/equipment throughout the state's prisons.
No employees would lose their jobs, and the space isn't currently needed. Due to a focus on alternative sentencing over the past three years, the number of prisoners in Missouri has dropped from more than 33,000 to about 26,000. The Tipton and Algoa prisons are about half full.
Not everyone supports the downsizing plan, Audrain County Sheriff Matt Oller wrote in a letter to his county's residents. In a KMIZ-TV 17 story, he said: "I'm furious by the fact that our local courts hand down sentences for crimes committed against our residents and our communities and Jefferson City basically thumbs their noses at them by refusing to carry out sentences handed down to criminals, and this only serves to make it worse."
We understand his concern. There needs to be a balance between being tough on crime and offering alternative sentencing. Part of this falls on prosecutors/judges, but an equally important part is how much success the Department of Corrections has in "correcting" inmates.
The department has various programs to educate prisoners and get them re-entered into society as productive citizens. The more these programs succeed, the less the criminal justice system will have to intervene again.
News Tribune