Overcrowding at state prisons could lead to lighter sentences for some crimes.
The latest projections show that in the fiscal year that begins July 1, the state will not have space for nearly 2,300 inmates — the equivalent of two new prisons.
But state legislators do not have the time or money to build more cells. They already face a $2 billion budget deficit, and it takes more than a year to build a prison.
The state has 79 prisons with 40,00 inmates. Lawmakers have approved new projects that would add space for roughly 2,250 more inmates by 2012.
Problems with the state's probation system could also cause problems, if it means that probationers end up spending more time in prison. (N&O)
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Re: Overcrowding could mean lighter sentences
perhaps a reexamination of the law would be more appropriate.