3 new prisons, more treatment programs are sought
Biggest expansion in a decade proposed to keep pace with convict growth
By Mike Ward, Corrie MacLaggan
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Saturday, August 19, 2006

Prison officials said Friday that they want to build three prisons and boost drug- and alcohol-treatment programs in the biggest proposed expansion of Texas corrections programs in more than a decade.

Brad Livingston, executive director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, said the $520 million plan � part of a $5.6 billion, two-year budget being sought by the prisons agency � is designed to keep pace with steadily growing numbers of prisoners that will require more than 11,000 additional prison beds in five years, according to official estimates.

"This is a multipronged approach designed to allow us to keep up with the growth that is currently projected," he said. "In addition to hard beds (prisons), we're requesting additional funding for treatment and diversion programs."

If the numbers of "prisoners" is to grow, then of course the numbers of beds will also have to grow. If, however, despite a likely rise in the numbers of persons committing crimes, we determine to keep the number of prisoners the same, then there is no reason for the request.

Is it reasonable to suspect the number of persons needing incarceration will increase by 11,000- probably so. Is it reasonable to suspect the Legislature will give much heed to the request- probably not.