NCJ Number
155835
Date Published
1993
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The Indiana Legislative Council charged the Interim Study Committee on State Prison Issues to examine prison reform issues and the operation of the State criminal justice system in terms of the correctional system, victims' rights, criminal penalties, and crime rates.
Abstract
The Committee held five meetings during the interim. Witnesses testified that the Indiana correctional system reduced its inmate population slightly, while the national inmate population increased more than 6 percent. The number of prisoner substance abuse counselors tripled in 1990, there has been a 37 percent increase in the number of inmates participating in literacy programs, and the Department of Corrections budget has decreased in recent years. Based on this and testimony pertaining to the other topic areas, the Committee made recommendations regarding sentence reductions for the successful completion of specified educational requirements, the development of prison industries, the expansion of work release programs, additional availability of substance abuse treatment, and the funding of dispute resolution programs in the State.