State Lawmakers OK $36M for Kansas Prisons, Problems Arise

Democratic Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and state Republican lawmakers came together on a package of nearly $36 million for Kansas’ prison systems, KTAR News reports. The funds would be used to boost employees’ pay while also dealing with inmate crowding and other problems.

However the governor, the Department of Corrections, and state Democratic lawmakers are crying foul over provisions GOP legislators attached to the funds. Republicans added a provision to close temporarily a cell block at a men’s maximum-security prison due to staffing problems.

Another provision could possibly hinder plans for new space for female prisoners, according to Interim Corrections Secretary Roger Werholtz.

In addition, lawmakers will have to determine how to oversee the manner in which the prison system spends the money, which Republicans say is needed due to the amount of the package.