Statement of Norman A Carlson on February 23, 1983 Concerning Bureau of Prisons Oversight

• NCJ Number: 88525
• Author(s): N A Carlson
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The fiscal 1984 Bureau of Prisons budget requests funds for additional facilities to deal with prison overcrowding and more personnel for the medical program, and the Bureau of Prisons has been active in providing training for State and local corrections personnel.

Abstract

In the past 2 years, the Federal prison population has increased 21 percent, and the inmate population is expected to continue to increase during the 1980's. Funds are currently available for the construction of a Federal correctional institution in Phoenix, Ariz., which will provide 400 additional beds. The facility will be ready for operation in May 1985. In fiscal 1983 continuing resolution, funds were received to expand seven existing institutions by 780 beds. The current authorization request proposes the construction of a 500-bed metropolitan correctional center in Los Angeles and a 500-bed correctional institution in the Northeast. Funds are also being sought for a site and planning for an additional 500-bed Federal correctional institution in the Northeast. The Bureau of Prisons has also sought cost-effective expansion of facilities through the purchase of existing facilities that can be converted to correctional facilities. The approval of proposed facility creation will still leave the system overcrowded by at least 16 percent. If the projects are not approved, overcrowding will be at least 24 percent by 1987. The fiscal 1984 budget also includes a request for an additional $6 million to increase the community treatment center program, which will permit placement of an additional 500 inmates nearing release, thereby reducing the prison population. The fiscal 1984 budget permits an increase of 181 positions, the majority of which are for the medical program. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center at Glynco, Ga., allots 10 percent of student capacity to the training of State and local correctional personnel. Correctional administrators have praised these training programs.