Rendell says prison costs rising, won’t be cut

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has told unions to expect rolling furloughs for state workers. Rendell previously announced he would cut between 1,000 and 2,000 jobs from the state workforce as a way to plug a multi-billion dollar budget gap. But one budget item that won’t be reduced is money for prisons. WHYY’s Susan Phillips reports.

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has told unions to expect rolling furloughs for state workers. Rendell previously announced he would cut between 1,000 and 2,000 jobs from the state workforce as a way to plug a multi-billion dollar budget gap. But one budget item that won’t be reduced is money for prisons. WHYY’s Susan Phillips reports. [audio: reports20090128rendellprisons.mp3]