Legislature approves prison restructuring

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(Host) In the final days of the legislature, lawmakers made some significant policy changes that affect the state’s prison system.

Bennington Senator Dick Sears say the changes will eventually steer non-violent offenders to treatment programs or community-based services. He says that should reduce costs and keep people from returning to jail.

(Sears) "The justice reinvestment bill I think long term will probably save Vermont somewhere between $80 and $200 million by 2011, cumulatively. We hope that we’ll be able to keep our communities safer by lowering the recidivism rate, and hopefully having our jail cells reserved for people we need protection from, the violent offenders."

(Host) The Legislature also decided to close a women’s prison in Waterbury, and move those inmates to the facility in St. Albans. About 50 more prisoners will be sent out of state to save money.

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