New Prison Policies Could Save Millions
More drug and alcohol treatment and fewer new prison cells could save Texas $442 million over the next five years, a new study shows.
The study, presented Tuesday at a joint meeting of the House Corrections Committee and Senate Criminal Justice Committee, shows the state could avoid spending $377 million for construction of prisons for 5,000 more inmates.
The analysis also estimates the state could save another $65 million by reducing recidivism, diverting probationers into treatment and paroling nonviolent substance abusers sooner to halfway houses. POLLY ROSS HUGHES for the Houston Chronicle.