NCJ Number
166556
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1996) Pages: 9-21
Date Published
1996
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This survey, which solicited prison construction information from the States for fiscal 1995-96, focuses on the scope of projects to be initiated and the "hidden" costs of prison operation: construction projects that involve maintenance, upgrading, and expansion of existing facilities.
Abstract
Thirty-one correctional systems (72 percent of respondents) will begin construction of approximately 146 new facilities during fiscal year 1995-96, compared to 151 new facilities reported last year. Of these, 114 will be residential facilities, and 21 will be support facilities. Once completed, these new facilities will add approximately 104,449 new beds to the Nation's prisons. Of the 114 new residential facilities planned for fiscal 1995-96, funding was reported approved for approximately 77 percent. Funding for the remaining 23 percent was reported to be pending approval. Respondents were also asked to list site-selection criteria and difficulties in site selection. The most often cited problems involved opposition by the affected community members or lack of cooperation between State and local officials during the siting process. In addition to new facilities, departments of correction are planning approximately 128 construction projects at existing facilities in fiscal 1996, comparable to the 117 additions planned for 1994-95. Information provided for each responding State for planned construction (fiscal year 1995-96) addresses the number of new facilities, the number of beds, funding status, funding source, site-selection criteria, site-selection programs, and alternative housing currently in use. A table on additions and renovations provides the following information on each facility: name, nature of the project, current status, estimated start/end dates, funding status, and estimated cost.