The Senate Appropriations Committee has begun its look at the Department of Corrections budget.
In the executive budget proposal, Corrections was looking to move the women from the facility in New England to the Missouri River Correctional Center in Bismarck. The inmates there would have been moved to the James River Correctional Center in Jamestown, using more of the State Hospital facilities there.
The House turned that proposal into a two year study.
"A solution, not a study, is needed now," Corrections Director LeeAnn Bertsch told the Committee.
Bertsch said the New England facility has physical problems, and cannot offer the services the women inmates need. She said by contrast, services are available in the Bismarck-Mandan area.
"If we could actually do things right for this population, in a few years we could cut that population in half," Bertsch said.
But some Legislators believe the proposal was sprung on them to their surprise, and they believe the issue needs more study.
"We have to have a common vision," said Sen. Kathy Hogan (D-Fargo). "We can't just have someone give us a blueprint without understanding the details."
Hogan said there are implications for the New England facility, as well as the staff there.
"New England is often the only addiction provider out there," Hogan said. "So we really need to think through those major changes."
The committee will have more work to do on the budget proposal.
