~Via: Mike Dennison -Independent Record, Helena
The Schweitzer administration has decided to terminate a pair of citizen “advisory councils” attached to the Corrections Department to save money — and said Tuesday it may consider abolishing other such councils.
“We’re really challenging every penny, to figure out ways we can deliver services to Montana … and find ways to do more with less,” said Sarah Elliott, spokesman for Gov. Brian Schweitzer.
As state tax revenues have declined, Schweitzer has announced several budget-cutting measures in recent weeks. He also has asked state agency directors to propose possible 5 percent reductions in spending.
Last week, the state Corrections Department sent a letter to members of the Crime Victims Advisory Council, saying it had been discontinued.
The letter also announced the abolishment of the Corrections Advisory Council, a long-standing panel of citizens and legislators that advises the agency on correctional issues.
The letter also indicated the Schweitzer administration had decided to eliminate all advisory councils created by state agencies, as a cost-savings measure. Yet Elliott said no decision has been made regarding the other dozen or so advisory councils.
“They will all be looked at on a case-by-case basis,” she said.
Cutting the two Corrections Department councils will save about $18,000 over a two-year period, she said. The money pays for staff support time, travel costs and per-diem payments to citizen members of the council.
State government has 167 councils whose members are appointed by the governor. However, 140 of those councils are mandated by law, and can’t be changed or abolished without approval by the Legislature.
Of the remaining councils, some are required by the federal government, and only 15 to 20 are created by executive order of the governor. Councils in this last category are the ones that may be abolished to save money.
State law also allows other executive officeholders, such as the attorney general or state superintendent of schools, to appoint various advisory councils.
Kevin O’Brien, spokesman for Attorney General Steve Bullock, said the Justice Department has no plans to abolish any advisory councils, but intends to hold council meetings by video-conference when possible to reduce travel costs.
- I hope the Governor is planning on replacing the important oversight function provided by the citizens advisory councils with some other mechanism, especially at a time when transparency in the “corrections” system is so desperately needed.
In regards to the cutting back on advisory councils is a positive step in the right direction. I know a few more instances which revolves around MSP. I have a loved one that I see every day of visiting – Wednesday through Sunday, which is great. My beef has been if there is no visitors for the Work Dorm, or High Side, never a day goes by that there is not visitors on the low side, that the Correctional Officers who are to man those posts, are given duties in the prison, to keep them busy, helping others who may have their hands full, anything but hanging out in the visitation rooms they are not posted to, eating popcorn and snacks from the vending machines that are for the inmates and their loved ones. The machines run out of things and we are unable to give our loved ones a few treats or food and are not restocked for weeks on end. IF the Correctional Officers have nothing else to do besides visit, then they should be sent home. I have seen as many as 8 Correctional Officers at one time “hanging out” and if an inmate needs to use the bathroom, they are given the response of “they are busy” or “when they get finished eating their meal”. I don’t get it! Visitation entry is cut off at 5:00 p.m. If there is still no one visiting at the Work Dorm or High Side, another job should be in place or they go home. I see them hanging out at the front reception desk as well. This is not good business. There are those Correctional Officers who I have seen, when they do not have the visitors at their post, they are all over the place helping others, staying busy and earning their keep. Jobs are tough to come by this day and age, and money is tight for everyone. All I am saying is that those who are on the payroll need to be earning their money.