Budget cuts proposed by the state Legislature could jeopardize safety inside and outside of the Utah State Prison, say prison officials.
Portable cots may fill the prison gymnasium. Fighting inmates could find themselves sharing a cell. And 215 inmates would be back out on the streets months earlier than their original sentences.
This is the reality the Department of Corrections leaders say they may face if the state Legislature cuts its budget by 5 percent, as proposed. Among other changes, the Department of Corrections would have to close two prison units at its Draper facility to create a budget that is $26 million leaner than this year's, and that could lead to "life and death" consequences at the prison, said Executive Director Tom Patterson.
"When we go to maximum capacity, we're essentially a crockpot of potential harm," Patterson said. "Our likelihood of having more violence between inmates and between staff and inmates and for loss of life is really increased."
The prison is currently at about 96 percent of capacity, but if it has to close the proposed 415 beds, it will not have enough space to house all the prisoners. State law requires 45 days of being overcapacity before the Board of Pardons and Parole can begin releasing prisoners early. The board wouldn't release violent or sex offenders, and the offenders would have to be within four months of their parole dates to be considered for early release.
"What's important to note regardless of what early-release criteria is used, as of right now, none of these prisoners are deemed to be a low enough risk to be released," Patterson said. "We cannot ensure there is no risk."
Rep. Steven Mascaro, R-West Jordan, called it "unconscionable" that the Legislature is mandated to protect the state's residents but that his committee may have to make cuts that could jeopardize their safety.
However, Sen. Jon Greiner, R-Ogden, committee co-chairman, said legislators face a tough balance.
"Everyone is going to say there's is a core value," Greiner said at the committee meeting. "At the end of the day, we have to look at the department with the big sign of the S with the two lines through it."
