‘Write a letter’ Category

From 2001-2011, corrections spending increased by 25 percent, consuming over 23 percent of the state’s General Fund, while General Fund spending on programs proven to reduce crime declined. For example:

Spending on the School Aid Fund declined by 92 percent, resulting in cuts to numerous programs for elementary and high school students.

Spending on community health services, which includes mental health and substance abuse treatment, declined by 10 percent. Twenty percent of the people in prison are mentally ill and 60 percent were addicted to drugs when they were incarcerated.

In addition, spending for higher ed dropped by 38 percent between Fiscal Years 2001-2013.