N. Panhandle newspaper injects cost perspective into prison debate

by: ACLU of WV

Thu Nov 13, 2008 at 15:31:30 PM EST

In today's Wheeling Intelligencer, an editorial expounds on the potential cost that building a new prison will bring the state.

Again, we agree that for various reasons, the Northern Panhandle would be a good location for a new prison - if one is built. But correctional facilities are very, very expensive. A new medium-security federal prison is being constructed in McDowell County. It is to have 1,280 beds - and cost about $189 million.

Considering that the state has lost, on paper, roughly one billion dollars due to the financial market meltdown, there are legitimate budgetary concerns against building a new prison to handle current overcrowding.

Additionally, it should be noted that because treatment for non-violent drug offenders is a much less cost intensive alternative than incarceration, now would be a good time to fight for policies that are both more in tune with our humanity and fiscal well being.

The state's budget is about to seriously tighten. In addition to not forking out millions on a new prison, we need to, for the sake of our state budget, really take a look at how much we are spending and why we are locking people up whose crimes are non-violent in nature.