The relentless increase in corrections costs will continue next year. The Governor's budget requests a $37 million increase in funds to operate our state Corrections system, expected to house more than 35,600 offenders by the end of 1997. The $971 million Corrections budget includes $17 million to further expand facility capacity, including a new institution at Chester, expansion of the Laurel Highlands institution, and new cell blocks at Albion, Greene, Houtzdale, Mahonoy, and Somerset.

      While the increased spending is inevitable next year, given the administration's initial refusal to pursue longer term solutions to prevent crime or fund alternative incarceration and rehabilitation strategies, the new budget does include some prevention initiatives. The most significant initiative will appropriate $10 million to fund county drug and alcohol programs as alternatives to incarceration. Other proposals include $1 million for Community Crime Prevention Grants, and $1.4 million to establish a mental health unit at the Camp Hill state correctional institution and contract for mental health services.

      The budget agreement does not include the Governor's proposal to transfer Corrections Education to the Department of Corrections. The proposed $14.8 million Corrections Education program is fully funded as a separate line in the Department of Education. State appropriations for the Department of Corrections are divided into four new line items, with separate appropriations for medical care, institution costs, general government, and other training programs.