Juneau -- Senator Jerry Ward (R-Kenai/Anchorage) today introduced legislation that would charge inmates for their parole and probation supervision costs. Currently, the cost to the state is over $8.5 million dollars annually. "If we charge each person on parole and probation just $3.30 a day we will raise over $7 million per year," said Ward. "Lets make criminals pay for their bad deeds. $3.30 per day is approximately $100 per month or approximately 45 minutes per day at minimum wages to reimburse the State for their criminal supervision."

"With over 4600 inmates on probation or parole this legislation could generate over $5.5 million dollars per year," said Ward. "If we enacted the same program with juveniles on probation, we would add an additional 1300 payees, generating $1.5 million dollars per year, for a total of over $7 million dollars."

With correctional costs skyrocketing in recent years, the notion that offenders should contribute to their own supervision has gained widespread political and public support. By 1988 as many as 48 states collected some type of correctional fees. While the numbers of states charging fees is on the increase, the idea is not new. In 1846 Michigan enacted the first correctional fee law in the country. Unlike financial obligations imposed to inflict punishment (e.g., fines, restoration of victim's losses or other civil obligations), correctional fees are imposed to generate revenues for correctional programs. One example is Texas which funds over half of its $90.6 million dollar probation and parole program through fees.

This bill would allow for the garnishment of permanent fund dividend checks as a method of collecting probation and parole fees. For those who are able to pay and who choose not to, this legislation calls for revocation of parole. "Alaska's correctional professionals are not, and should not be, collectors. That is why this legislation calls for a third party collection of probation and parole fees," said Ward.

"The State of Alaska is looking at a $1.2 billion dollar deficit this year. This bill will generate money to help reduce our huge budget deficit. The citizens of Alaska can not be asked to 'foot the bill' for criminals while things like medical care for the elderly and education go under-funded. It is time that criminals literally pay their debt to society," said Ward.