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Corporate Welfare 1, Prisoner Welfare 0.

August 13, 2009

David Brunori says our poor state governments are just starving, and we must give them more money:

This is What Happens When you Don't Raise Taxes
Stateline.org reported yesterday that at least 23 states have ended up cutting the budgets for prisons as a result of the economic crisis. Some of the cuts have been in the form of staff lay offs. The Illinois governor just announced he is laying off 1,000 guards. Some of the cuts are in the form of treating the inmates a little less well (Tennessee is giving prisoners less milk and meat). Other states are cutting back on rehabilitation programs, education services, and other things designed to make the prisoner fit into society when he or she is released.

Prisons are sadly underfunded in the best of times. While it's not supposed to be fun, the degrading and shocking violence inside prisons is a disgrace. But felons don't have lobbyists, and they are an easy target for legislators, who would rather not face up to the politically powerful unions and corporate welfare interests who are at the front of the trough. Consider California's unbelievable public pension black hole. Or just consider how much money Iowa shovels to the well-connected through Vision Iowa and the Iowa Power Fund.

Prisoners don't get the crumbs because states lack money; it's because the prisoners don't have enough lobbyists.

UPDATE, 8/15: And what cash does go to the prison system gets siphoned off by the usual suspects.

Tags: Cato.