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Shorter sentences or a return of parole would be better than demanding still more from guards.

July 31, 2009

State budget cuts are not free. Along with the taxpayer money that's saved, there are also costs that come from lowering the quality of government services provided.

When it comes to prisons and jails, those costs can be invisible to most of the public, but they are just as real as the state furlough days or reduced school spending that get most of the attention.

At the Maine State Prison, years of budget trimming has resulted in low morale among staff, poor retention of experienced workers and overwork for the ones who stay. That translates into safety concerns for both the staff and the prisoners under their charge. Since state budget woes are not going away, it makes sense to look at ways to address the serious employee morale issues that result from years of cutting back.

Although it should be obvious, it bears repeating that prison guards are state law enforcement officers who are doing a crucial job that makes the rest of us more safe. Although their work is not apparent to most of the public and no one lines up to speak at legislative hearings when their budgets are on line to be cut, corrections officers should be given the chance to do their work in a safe environment.

That leaves a problem for state officials who are trying to work within the financial restraints that exist. When working with a reduced budget, the first option should be trying to make do with the resources that are available, and that is what the state is doing in its efforts to coordinate spending and programs between the state prisons and the county jails.

But when that kind of restructuring reaches its limit, there are only two options left: The state can spend more to adequately fund the system as it exits. Or it can scale down the system to reflect the level of resources.

Neither choice would be popular.

Even the "balanced" budget passed by the Legislature this spring that was $500 million smaller than the budget that proceeded it is under-funded. Lawmakers are working this summer to come up with $30 million in savings to fill a gap that was built into the budget, Meanwhile tax receipts have already come in behind projections, leaving the gap $50 million larger.

Doing less would not seem to be an option for the prison system, which is forced to house the men and women found guilty of violating the law. But there are options.

The Legislature could roll back some laws that result in more or longer prison sentences. It should at least avoid passing any new ones.

Other states in financial crisis have reduced sentences and released prisoners. A more surgical approach would be returning to a parole system, in which an independent board meets with individual prisoners and can shorten sentences on a case-by-case basis. Both could result in a dangerous inmate being returned to the community, and along with the savings would come other costs, such as more work for local police departments and parole officers.

But that is the level where these discussions should occur. The budget should not be balanced by creating unsafe conditions for employees, who are expected to quietly do their jobs.