Lawmakers Work to Overhaul Missouri's Prison System
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Lawmakers Work to Overhaul Missouri's Prison System

Date: October 4, 2011
By: Matt Evans
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Missouri lawmakers look to softer punishment to ease Missouri's crowded prison system and to cut costs.
RunTime:  0:30
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: A report from PEW researchers suggested major changes to the probation system.

Co-chairman Representative Chris Kelly says the report created a good work session, but he isn't ready to make any decisions just yet.  He also says Missouri needs to do a better job spending tax payer dollars on the prison system.

Actuality:  KELLY01.WAV
Run Time:  00:01
Description: "Other states have done better."

The commission has been working since June and Kelly says they want to introduce legislation to improve the prison system in January.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans.

Intro: 
Missouri lawmakers want an overhaul of the state's inefficient prison system.
RunTime:  0:34
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Prison populations have reached an all-time high and prison spending has almost doubled in ten years.  A joint commission met to review a report suggesting major changes in the probation process, co-chair Representative Chris Kelly says.

Actuality:  KELLEY02.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "Are there better ways to deal with technical probabation or parole violations rather than to send people back to prison?"

The committee is looking at ways to cut costs and inmate population. Kelly says the committee will draft a bill next month and introduce the new legislation in January.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans.

Intro: 
Missouri lawmakers want to cut costs and inmate populations in the state's prisons.
RunTime:  0:27
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The language of a PEW commission report caused some debate.

((NATS Arguing))

A joint commission is trying to overhaul Missouri's prison system.  Co-chair Representative Chris Kelly says he thinks Missouri needs to do a better job spending tax payer money.

Actuality:  KELLY03.WAV
Run Time:  00:03
Description: "I think we can improve our system quite a bit."

The commission will start drafting legislation next month and will introduce the bill in January.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Matt Evans.