A pair of bills that would shorten the length of some prison sentences cleared the House Monday and are headed to the governor's desk.

The bills would reduce sentences for some offenders in order to create more prison space and help reduce the prison overcrowding that is steadily growing.

Republicans scolded Democrats during debate for pushing changes that could trim months or years off some sentences.

"The last thing we want to do is say, 'We want to save some money so we’ll let some people out a little early,'" said Rep. Tim Moore, a Cleveland County Republican.

Democrats responded that the legislation was backed by the state's sheriffs, prosecutors and sentencing commission.

"This is a bill that is trying to balance, in a reasonable way, dealing with the overpopulation of prisons," said Rep. Rick Glazier, a Fayetteville Democrat.

Senate Republican leader Phil Berger said the longer it takes to pass a budget, the better the chance for bad legislation.

Berger was speaking at the weekly Republican news conference which has lately focused on the late state budget. Last week, Berger said the tardiness was a sign of incompetence. This week, he said the delay is giving more time for what he said were bad bills.

"The longer we're here it seems the more likelihood we're going to see some bad legislation move forward," Berger said.

Berger cited two Senate bills that adjust the state's sentencing guidelines. Both bills seek to even out sentencing guidelines. Both would eventually lead to fewer inmates in prison over time. Berger said the bills were giving criminals a break.

The state is facing a dramatic shortage in prison beds and analysts say adjusting sentencing guidelines is necessary to avoid running out of prison space. Building new facilities would take too long to avoid the shortage.

Rep. Paul Stam, an Apex Republican and the House minority leader, said the Democrats who run both chambers, could have diverted millions from other line items to build prisons years ago.