While there is evidence that the rate of increase in the population has moderated considerably, the continued high population level can reasonably be expected to average at least 27,500 for the current fiscal year. If the requested increase is denied, it will be necessary to reduce the "care" expenditure per inmate, primarily for food, in order to accommodate the increased population--an action which is neither wise nor frugal. There is no other program from which funding of this magnitude could be accomplished without irreparable consequences. 5 The requested supplemental to finance per capita "care" costs for an additional 3,500 offenders in 1977 will require $2,865,000 in this budget activity. (See Justification on pages 4 and 5). Below is a functional distribution of the estimated costs to this budget activity. |