Mississippi could gain from rehab funding

Mississippi could reduce prison populations and recidivism by increasing the budget for education and rehabilitation programs, according to a study of the state prison system.

The report from the Grassroots Leadership, a nonprofit in Charlotte, N.C., said the funding could come from current

"Mississippi is prioritizing locking up nonviolent offenders over preserving and expanding access to higher education for its citizens," the report said.

Over the past decade, the corrections budget has doubled while spending for education has risen only 1 percent.

Taking money from private beds would "free up taxpayer dollars for education and prevention programs that have been shown to deter individuals from committing criminal acts," the report said.

But House Penitentiary Chairman Bennett Malone said the study's recommendations are unlikely to be implemented.

He said most states have been increasing prison budgets faster than education spending.

The last session of the legislature took measures to reduce the prison population through early release and drug counseling.

The legislature changed the law requiring inmates to serve 85 percent of their sentence. Nonviolent offenders are eligible for early parole after serving at least one-fourth of their sentences.

The legislature also created an alcohol and drug center at the Bolivar County Correctional Center and expanded house-arrest programs.