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Prison Construction Tops $3 Billion, 1986

NCJ Number
127326
Date Published
1986
Length
6 pages
Annotation
U.S. correctional systems plan to spend more than $3 billion in 1986 for 59,000 new prison beds according to a survey published in the May issue of Corrections Compendium.
Abstract
Forty-nine States and the Federal Bureau of Prisons responded to the survey. Thirty-seven States and the Federal Government report prison-construction plans in 1986. The States will spend $2.8 billion, and the Federal Government will spend $191 million for new beds. Each new prison cell will cost between $15,200 and $157,000. California plans the most extensive prison construction as 10,000 new prison beds will be added to the State's system at a cost of $300 million. Ohio plans the second largest expansion; it will construct 9,000 beds at a cost of $575 million. Medium-security beds compose the greatest number in the planned construction. New maximum-security prison space is being built in 14 States and by the Federal system. The 21 maximum-security projects range in cost from $29,167 to $120,000 per cell. Most prison construction is being funded by legislative appropriation. Nineteen states are using bonds to fund all or part of prison construction projects. The journal article on the survey is included. Charts display the survey data.