Top 10 Department Facts
Have a question about the Department? These are some of the most frequently asked questions. If you don't see your question here, contact us.
1. How much does it cost to keep an offender in prison?
Currently it costs an average of $52.61 per day ($19,202.65 per year) to keep an adult inmate incarcerated in the State of Indiana.
2. What is the Department's annual budget?
The Department's general fund budget for 2003-2004 is $568.9 million
The Department's general fund budget for 2004-2005 is $571.0 million
3. How many inmates are currently on Death Row in Indiana?
There are currently less than 30 offenders under sentence of death in the State of Indiana.
4. What method of execution is used in Indiana?
Since July 1, 1995 , the method of execution is by lethal injection. Prior to that time electrocution was the method of execution.
5. If people are sent to prison for punishment, why should they be allowed televisions, radios, free education and access to gymnasiums, and libraries, as well as medical and dental care?
The State Constitution states the penal code shall be founded on the principles of reformation, and not of vindictive justice. The Department is required to provide medical and dental services to inmates as well as access to law libraries and educational programs. However, if an inmate wants to pursue post secondary education, the cost is the inmate's responsibility. Idle prisoners would require more supervision and could be a threat to the security of the facility. Therefore, it is important to not only provide programming and employment to the inmates, but allow them recreational time as well. It should be noted that most of the inmates currently incarcerated will be returning to society, and hopefully will be prepared when they do so.
7. What are the levels of security in Indiana 's prison system?
The levels of security in the prison system are minimum, low medium, high medium, and maximum. The three main considerations in assigning an offender to a security level are the committing offense, the length of sentence, and prior criminal history.
8. Can I communicate with an offender over the internet?
No. Offenders are not permitted access to the internet, nor can they have personal computers in their cells. Offenders may use computers if their educational program merits it in a supervised lab.
9. What items can I mail to an offender?
Offenders may receive correspondence, legal mail, and publications from publishers only, which are reviewed to determine whether they are obscene or constitute a danger to safety and security. Offenders may receive money orders with their inmate number and your name and address. However, they can only receive U.S. Postal Money Orders from individuals who are on their approved visitor's list.
10. What is the procedure for assigning adult offenders to facilities when they begin to serve their sentence?
Offenders are assessed at the Reception Diagnostic Center and the Rockville Correctional Facility. Each offender is scored on the Classification Designation Instrument. Points are assessed according to length of sentence, seriousness of the offense, violence in the offense, escape histories, substance abuse problems, conduct while incarcerated, etc. At that point, the score is calculated (minimum, medium and maximum). The score is then measured against security level criteria, such as sex and violent offenders not eligible for minimum security.
