RALEIGH — Action taken by the General Assembly nearly four years ago changing the state’s prison and probation strategies appears to be paying dividends, both financially and in the number of repeat offenders, notes a recent study.
The Council of State Governments Justice Center has released a study showing that the 2011 Justice Reinvestment Act resulted in $48 million in savings during the 2013-14 fiscal year and contributed to the closure of 10 prisons. In addition, with fewer people incarcerated, North Carolina taxpayers avoided having to pay $500 million to build and operate new prisons.
The report noted the bipartisan nature of the Justice Reinvestment Act. Work on the legislation began when Democrats held majorities in the General Assembly. The efforts became law after Republicans gained control of the legislative branch.
“The prison population has dropped 8 percent, or by almost 3,400 people, since fiscal year 2011,” the report notes. “Overall prison admissions have dropped by 21 percent as a result of fewer people entering prison for misdemeanor convictions and probation revocations.”
