NCJ Number
236296
Date Published
2011
Length
35 pages
Annotation
This semi-annual survey (June 2011) by the Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA) asks its members to identify the current issues faced by correctional agencies and rate their relative priority.
Abstract
Respondents were asked to identify the top four issues facing their agencies and to rate the priority of each issue for the agency. Eighteen of the 27 responding agencies reported State budget cuts to be one of the top four issues facing their agencies. Closely associated with budget shortfalls were the second and third most frequently cited issues, i.e., funding for reentry and inmate programs, as well as staff recruitment and retention. Other budget-related issues that were mentioned included the cost of inmate health care and services for mentally ill offenders. Low priority issues for agencies responding to the June 2011 survey were medical marijuana use among staff and medication therapy for drug treatment. Given the high priority assigned to State budget issues, it was surprising to find the relatively low priority given to cutting cost for staff furlough. ASCA also asked responding agencies to rate the current priority of issues identified in previous surveys. State budget shortfalls and cuts to corrections budgets remained the leading current issue facing the agencies. It was not surprising that other issues with high priority ratings were closely linked with State budget cuts. The relative priority for most of the issues did not change significantly from December 2010 to June 2011; however, that data indicate that controlling cell phones, cost cutting/staff furloughs, and replacing aging facilities have decreased in their relative priority since the December 2010 survey. Extensive figures