A five-percent budget cut to the Department of Corrections would close two prisons in Missouri.
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A five-percent budget cut to the Department of Corrections would close two prisons in Missouri.

Date: February 23, 2010
By: Nick Berry
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 2009

Intro:  The House Budget Committee was told two Missouri prisons could close down if the House cuts funds by five percent.
RunTime:  0:36
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The warning was delivered to the budget officials by Public Safety & Corrections Chairman Dwight Scharnhorst from St. Louis County.

A top official told Scharnhorst how losing nearly 20 million dollars would effect on the Department of Corrections.

Actuality:  SCHARN4.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "His statement at the time was, 'I will definitely have to close one institution, possibly two.' It would be minimum security, he designated that right away."

Adult Prison Director Tom Clements says non-violent prisoners and those eligible for parole could be released before the end of their sentences.

State officials have not yet voted on this budget proposal.

From the State Capitol, I'm Nick Berry.

Intro:  The House Budget Committee was told two prisons could close if a five percent budget cut is passed.
RunTime:  0:38
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Representative Chris Kelly from Columbia introduced a solution that moves elderly prisoners to a different facility to save money on health costs.

Missouri Department of Corrections spokesmen Tom Clements says it would be difficult to get healthcare to inmates without releasing them.

Actuality:  CLEMENT4.WAV
Run Time:  00:15
Description: "People that are released on parole can live in a residential care facility and be eligible for medicaid funding, but as long as they're incarcerated in any of our 20 prisons, it's our understanding that they're not eligible for medicaid reimbursement."

There are currently 209 inmates over the age of 70 in Missouri prisons.

From the State Capitol, I'm Nick Berry