Governor declines to enforce cap law

Governor Keating has signed an executive<br>order declining to execute the state's cap law on prison crowding.<br><br>Corrections Director James Saffle had asked on October 29th to declare a state

Wednesday, November 10th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Governor Keating has signed an executive
order declining to execute the state's cap law on prison crowding.

Corrections Director James Saffle had asked on October 29th to declare a state of emergency because of prison crowding.

The governor said in a statement today that there is no emergency, despite the cap law.

The Corrections Department had said about 200 inmates might be freed if the emergency declaration was approved and 60 days were
cut from the inmates' prison sentences.

Keating says in the order that the Department of Corrections has the ability to negotiate with private prison vendors if the need for prison beds exceeds capacity.