Description Assignment Details Since the 1970s, war on crime has been fought by increasing severity of sanctions against offenders, including the following: Increased correctional budgets Increased probation populations Increased prison and jail

Description Assignment Details Since the 1970s, war on crime has been fought by increasing severity of sanctions against offenders, including the following: Increased correctional budgets Increased probation populations Increased prison and jail populations Increased parole populations Crime has decreased during this time frame. Some observers the credit get-tough policies for the decline. On the other hand, some critics argue that such policies have little effect on crime rates but do much more damage to families and communities. Research your state’s current Department of Corrections (DoC) budget. Analyze where funds are currently allocated. Scenario Your state is suffering from a terrible budgetary crisis. The state legislature is cutting your state correctional budget from $5 billion to $2 billion. There are many ways that the correctional budget can be cut. For this assignment, address the following: Recommend programs you will either cut or eliminate to reduce expenditures. Determine whether your focus will be on staff reduction or inmate reduction. Will you close facilities? Will you change the various services and accommodations you provide to inmates? Determine whether sentencing strategies need to change to assist your state during this time of economic struggle. Support your reasoning by referencing your state’s DOC budget breakdown. What would your recommendations to lawmakers be about sentencing strategies and how they are connected to correctional budgets?