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If HB 257 is passed,will it affect the states prison population in the state of Missouri?

The House bill was passed by by a vote of 100-54

That bill now lies on the Missouri Senate floor.

The bill will abolish the states sentencing advisory committee.

The 11-member commission issues recommendations about sentences for felony crimes.

The recommendations are based on how serious each crime is, offenders' criminal records and alternative community programs in the state of Missouri.

KTVO contacted the Missouri Department of Correction on Monday.

The prison population as of 2009 was 30,708, which set a record for the state of Missouri..

As of March 2011, that number has only dropped to 30,567.

The current price to house a prisoner is 30,000 dollars per inmate every year in the state of Missouri.

KTVO talked to Missouri State Representative (R) Zachary Wyatt on what this bill means to the state.

"HB 257 is not the complete answer to our state prison population problems. It is, however a step in the right direction. Missouri needs to always be seeking better ways to address the this problem," said Zachary Wyatt.

The Missouri Senate has until May 13 to take action to House Bill 257.

Read more about HB257.