Georgia House of Representatives
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Room 505, Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
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Lawmakers Ask Tough Questions About Proposed Prison Cuts

Atlanta– House leaders gathered yesterday to ask department heads and law enforcement officials some very pointed questions about the effect a proposed three percent cut to the state prison system and public safety department could have on the safety of Georgia's citizens.

“The point of the meeting was to ask the questions that the public wants answered,” said Rep. Snow. “We’ve all seen the reports about how our prison system is stretched to the max, and now the Governor is suggesting another reduction in funding. What our citizens want to know is how these cuts would affect public safety?”

The hearing was called jointly by Representative Mike Snow (D-Chickamauga), who serves as Chairman of the House Public Safety Committee, Rep. Gerald Greene (D-Cuthbert), Chairman of the State Institutions and Property Committee, Rep. Jeanette Jamieson (D-Toccoa), Chairperson of the State Planning and Community Affairs Committee, and Rep. Alan Powell (D-Hartwell), Chairman of the Budget Sub-Committee on State Institutions.

Appearing before House lawmakers were James Donald, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections, Terry Norris and other members of the Georgia Sheriff’s Association, Milton Nix of the Georgia Parole Board, Molly Perry representing the Council of Superior Court Judges, and Denise Fachini of the Georgia District Attorney’s Association.

Among the concerns expressed by law enforcement and judicial representatives was the fear that further cuts to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab budget could cause increased backlogs on lab analysis results, thus slowing the prosecution of many offenders.

“With the horrible methamphetamine problem that’s occurring in North Georgia , these cuts could be devastating,” said Chairman Snow. “We’re hearing about cases where local sheriffs don’t receive results on meth lab tests for four or five months, which delays the indictment of these drug manufacturers. In the meantime, after 90 days without an indictment we’re forced to allow these criminals to post bail, and they’re back out on the streets making more meth.”

“That’s just unacceptable,” said Snow. “I understand tightening our belt in tough times, but when we’re talking about public safety we simply cannot compromise.”

Commissioner Donald also expressed his concern over possible cuts to the Department of Corrections. The department was forced to make $21 million in cuts to compensate for a deficit that occurred when Governor Perdue decided not to shift the state’s payroll into the next fiscal year. Altogether, the three percent reduction in funding could mean more than $38 million in cuts for a prison system that has seen its ranks grow by roughly 2000 inmates per year over the last few years.

“We’ve been doing more with less,” said the Commissioner, noting that while Georgia is the ninth most populous state, it has the sixth largest prison system. He went on to say that he is not sure that the system would be as secure after undergoing another round of cuts.

“Our first and most important obligation is to the safety of our citizens,” said Rep. Snow. “If Commissioner Donald is saying he can’t be sure about the safety of corrections officers and public security, then that’s unacceptable.”

Another common theme throughout the committee’s discussion was the need for more alternatives to hard prison time. Drug courts, which handle lesser crimes committed by drug offenders, has been an effective and cost saving tool, judges and law enforcement officials said, but such tools need to be expanded. Likewise, there were repeated calls for increased alternative incarceration options.

“Unfortunately, what we’re hearing from the department is that alternative facilities and counseling and treatment budgets are taking the brunt of these cuts,” said Snow. “When they cut the money to fund prison pastors and drug counselors, that’s taking away the foundation for a fundamental change in these people who suffer from drug addiction. That’s particularly devastating to North Georgia where we are seeing a growing methamphetamine problem. We need to be smarter with how and where we find savings.”

“We got a few answers today, and we’ll continue to ask the questions and demand the answers” Chairman Snow concluded. “More importantly, we made it clear to all involved that the people of this state will not accept any cuts in areas that could threaten the safety of our citizens.”

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For further information contact Rep. Snow @ 404-656-6801