The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1962-03-09

O95, 1880. We have no figures or
! the amount of taxes probationers
/ paid during this period; however
here is a clear contrast between
the position Of probationers as
!, wage earners and the dependent
position they would have occupied
as prisoners. Nor should sight be
lost of the fact that our wage earn.
ing probationers support their de-
pendents, while prisoners with de.
lpendents on the welfare rolls con-
stitute the overwhelming majority
of our prison population.
The current cost of keeping Q
prisoner in the North Carolina Pris-
on System is about $4,000 pei
year. This figure is based on oper-
ating costs alone. Capital improve
ments are not included and these
are high; over ten million dollars
have been allocated for construc-
ton and renovation projects in
State Prison System units since
July 1, 1861. Prison construction
costs range from $1,500.00 per in
mate, depending upon the type Of
prisoner to be housed and treated.
Our appropriations for the cur
rent fiscas year total $545, 1861. 90.
Using the 5,46S figure for our case
load at the end of October, it is
apparent that the annual cost would
be less than $4,000 per case. Act
|ually this would be high estimate
because it does not take into ac-
count our services to the courts in
making investigations and prepar-
ing pre-sentence reports; many Of
these cases do not result in proba-
ton. To provide minimum custody
living quarters for 100 additional
prisoners would cost the taxpayers
of this state at least 100 thousand
dollars if built with prison labor on
prison property where basic serv-
ices are already adequate. The
costs would be much higher if land
had to be purchased or if basic IA
cilities, such as kitchen and dining
halls, had to be built OF, enlarged,
or if the construction should be
performed by private contractors.
To maintain 100 prisoners in pri-
son for one year would cost 100
thousand dollars, even if. the per
capita cost did not continue to rise
as-it has for many years.
On the other hand, to place 100
additional offenders on probation
would cost less than 20 thousand
dollars year even If the state
spent twice the amount currently
required to provide supervision for
100 probationers. Thus. the state
would save at least 100 thousand
dollars on capital outlay and over
ITO thousand dollars a year on OPP
Grating expenditures. And it should
be stressed that these figures are
low for Imprisonment and high for
probation. Furthermore, it must be
remembered that probationers are
employed in the free community,
earn wages, pay fines, pay court
costs, pay taxes, make restitution,
and support their dependents. Only
work release prisoners approach
this contribution to society as they
serve prison sentence.
Desirability Of Probation Increases
In these days of rapid rise in the
rate Of crime and delinquency, there
is agrave danger that the public
will demand more and longer pris-
on sentences. 1t is paradoxical that
this danger should rise together
with growing awareness Of and in
creasing concern about the intrinsic
worth and varying needs Of individ-
ual offenders. Individualized justice
may result in longer sentences fol
some. But if the requisites for in
dividualized justice are made avail
able to the courts greater use will
be made Of probation.
Letters on file in my office show
that the judges in North Carolina
want more probation services
These letters are fun of honest
praise and appreciation for ths
Services now provided by our Off
GERS. The judges know that our
| officers now have ueifha,. the time