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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Ronald G. Waters |
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Waters plans bill to streamline government
PHILADELPHIA, July 16 – State Rep. Ronald G. Waters, D-Phila./Delaware, today announced that he is introducing a bill that would merge the Board of Probation and Parole into the Department of Corrections.
Waters said the merger would result in more efficient and streamlined administration services.
"If the Board of Probation and Parole work together under one department, they will have better communication and it will help them to solve problems more effectively," Waters said.
He said the merger would cut cost for state taxpayers.
"Pennsylvania currently spends $1.8 billion on corrections and the cost continues to increase each year. In the current budget, state spending for prisons is up 5.1 percent over last year’s budget," Waters said.
Waters also said Michigan has already merged its Board of Probation and Parole into its Department of Corrections and it has not only led to reduced cost in their corrections system, it has also reduced their prison population.
Michigan combined the DOC and Board of Probation and Parole in 1980. Reports show that the recidivism rate in that state has decreased from 51,400 to 45,000 inmates throughout the years. Waters said a decrease in the recidivism rate leads to a decrease in the prison population.
"In other states there is evidence that when both departments work together and not separately, the outcomes are better," Waters said. "After all, the goal of both departments is to improve public safety, manage people in the system, and correct the behavior of people who have antisocial behavior. I’ll never forget my college professor who said that the main factor that impedes success in any business is miscommunication or a lack of communication," he said.
Waters is a member of the House Judiciary Committee.
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