NCJ Number
230658
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 72 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2010 Pages: 40-44
Date Published
February 2010
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article discusses efforts by the State of Rhode Island to reduce the growth in the inmate population while continuing to increase public safety.
Abstract
This article discusses the recent efforts by the Rhode Island Legislature and Governor to address the issue of overcrowding in the State's correctional institutions. In 2005, State leaders received help from the Justice Center of the Council of State Governments, a membership association of officials from all three levels of State government that provides assistance to policymakers through data-driven, evidence-based solutions. The State of Rhode Island was one of several jurisdictions to be selected to implement the justice reinvestment model, an initiative developed by the Justice Center to develop State-specific ways to manage growth of correctional populations. The savings generated by reducing correctional costs are reinvested in strategies aimed at increasing public safety. The article discusses the efforts of the State officials under this program and lists three major reforms resulting from the work: standardization of earned time; inauguration of risk reduction program credits; and risk assessment in parole decisions. In addition, savings from the reforms were redirected in the RIDOC's budget to cover increased programming, investment in community corrections, and computer enhancements. The article also discusses key outcomes from these fundamental changes: impact on the census, impact on costs, and impact on public safety. Table and figure