TNC
02-12-2005, 11:15 PM
With Prison Reform being a hot topic I was asked to write a letter. At first I didnt really know what or how to go about this, but I decided I would do it. Here is my letter and its been sent to all the Senate and some of the House. I was very leary about posting my letter as it talks about personal issues, but since then have decided that no matter what my personal situation is the fact still remains that we have to work together to fix the problem. In the end we all reaching for the same goals
Dear Legislatures,
I am a registered voter of district 17. I am also the wife of an inmate in
the Idaho Department of Corrections. I am writing today not only on behalf
of my district, but my state as well.
There has been a lot of talk about the Department of Correction needing more money to house inmates. If that money isn't received, then inmates will be shipped to other states for housing.
Currently there are 6,305 inmates housed within the IDOC. Based on an
estimated $43.71 cost per day to house inmates, that is $15,954.15 to house
each inmate per year. That is a huge number, but when you think about it,
the cost doesn't stop there. Currently (because my husband is being held
past his parole eligibility date) I am on housing and state assistance to
feed and shelter my family. I receive $5160.00 in food assistance every year
my husband is away. I receive $10,008 a year in housing. That is another
$15,168 the state is paying on top of the $15,954.15 they are spending to
house an inmate.
If you consider there are 6,305 inmates in the IDOC...if even 100 of them
have families who have to depend of state assistance then you are looking at
One million, five hundred and sixteen thousand, eight hundred (
$1,516,800.00). 100 is actually a low estimate, when you think about how
many families are effected by this.
As a constituency we need to think about not just the smaller picture, but
how it is effecting our state as a whole.
I'm not saying every inmate should be released simply because their family
is having a hard time, but I think releasing more inmates upon eligibility
and bringing back good time is something that not only can, but will save
the state a lot of money.
My husband is a perfect example of what kind of inmate should be released.
He has programmed hard to get where he is now. He has made these changes on his own and has never been told by the parole commission that he needed to take these programs. His fixed time was up Dec 2003 and instead of being out here, saving the state money, he is left in prison at taxpayer's expense.
Dear Legislatures,
I am a registered voter of district 17. I am also the wife of an inmate in
the Idaho Department of Corrections. I am writing today not only on behalf
of my district, but my state as well.
There has been a lot of talk about the Department of Correction needing more money to house inmates. If that money isn't received, then inmates will be shipped to other states for housing.
Currently there are 6,305 inmates housed within the IDOC. Based on an
estimated $43.71 cost per day to house inmates, that is $15,954.15 to house
each inmate per year. That is a huge number, but when you think about it,
the cost doesn't stop there. Currently (because my husband is being held
past his parole eligibility date) I am on housing and state assistance to
feed and shelter my family. I receive $5160.00 in food assistance every year
my husband is away. I receive $10,008 a year in housing. That is another
$15,168 the state is paying on top of the $15,954.15 they are spending to
house an inmate.
If you consider there are 6,305 inmates in the IDOC...if even 100 of them
have families who have to depend of state assistance then you are looking at
One million, five hundred and sixteen thousand, eight hundred (
$1,516,800.00). 100 is actually a low estimate, when you think about how
many families are effected by this.
As a constituency we need to think about not just the smaller picture, but
how it is effecting our state as a whole.
I'm not saying every inmate should be released simply because their family
is having a hard time, but I think releasing more inmates upon eligibility
and bringing back good time is something that not only can, but will save
the state a lot of money.
My husband is a perfect example of what kind of inmate should be released.
He has programmed hard to get where he is now. He has made these changes on his own and has never been told by the parole commission that he needed to take these programs. His fixed time was up Dec 2003 and instead of being out here, saving the state money, he is left in prison at taxpayer's expense.