Costly Sentencing Alternatives Save In Long Run, Simpson Says

Idaho House Speaker Mike Simpson says the Legislature might have to increase the state’s corrections budget even more to reduce costs over time.

The Blackfoot Republican said lawmakers should consider expanding substance abuse programs and the “boot camp” approach at the Cottonwood prison beyond what is planned for next year.

“Sentencing alternatives is a nice catch phrase, but I don’t hear a lot of people out there saying, ‘Let’s go easy on criminals,”’ Simpson said. “Unless somebody comes up with viable alternatives that actually reduce cost, those things I think are things we ought to be doing.”

Gov. Phil Batt has announced he will serve as “a committee of one” to review sentencing alternatives and asked Idaho Supreme Court Justice Charles McDevitt to recommend options.

Education officials blame tight budgets on dramatically increased corrections funding.

Simpson contends there is no magic wand to reduce prison costs right away. The Legislature could increase drug and alcohol treatment programs because most inmates have a history of substance abuse, he said.

“Again, you are going to spend money to do that,” Simpson said.

He added the state has an excellent 180-day rider program at Cottonwood. Sentencing judges retain jurisdiction over inmates for 180 days before deciding to release them on probation or hand them more prison time.

“We could use more bed space in those type of facilities,” Simpson said.

The Legislature funded an 84-bed expansion to allow more inmates to be housed there by next summer. There are about 275 now.

Simpson said he would be willing to review the 1986 unified sentencing law and reinstituting good time the reduction of time for good behavior as options with advice from experts.

He is not a fan of loosening the law that requires a prison term for the third drunken driving conviction within five years. Three years ago, a corrections consultant said requiring prison time only for the fourth conviction within five years would save about 50 prison beds.

Simpson said he would rather consider prison sentences on the first or second conviction within five years.

“There is just no need to have drunk drivers on the road,” he said. “Our problem is we tolerate some of it.”

Some officials contend next year’s election will be about whether the state funds the schools or prisons. But Simpson said the Legislature is not vulnerable on the issue because residents want criminals behind bars.

“I wish we didn’t have to spend any money on jails,” Simpson said. “To me, it is the No. 1 priority of what government does to maintain the safety and security of its citizens.”