A REPORT FROM THE NEW MEXICO SENTENCING COMMISSION THAT PREDICTS THE FEMALE PRISON POPULATION IN THE STATE WILL EXCEED AVAILABLE SPACE BY 2015. DEPUTY CORRECTIONS SECRETARY JOE BOOKER SAYS IT'S HARD TO PREDICT BED SPACE, BUT THE DEPARTMENT KNOWS THEY HAVE TO BE PRO-ACTIVE IN MANAGING THE PRISON POPULATION.
BOOKER SAYS THEY'RE WORKING TO ENSURE INMATES THAT COME INTO THE SYSTEM DON'T RETURN. HE ALSO SAYS THE ISSUE IS IMPACTED BY THE FACT WOMEN ARE COMMITTING CRIMES THAT REQUIRE LONGER PRISON SENTENCES.
