State Corrections Department officials say they need more space. A new prison at Bonne Terre that could hold up to 2,600 inmates could have been opened nearly a year ago, if the Department of Corrections had the money. Governor Bob Holden has put the money to open at least 1,600 spaces at the prison in this year’s budget. Corrections officials believe it will go a long way to easing some of the overcrowding situations at some prisons in Missouri. Corrections spokesman Tim Kniest says more space just makesit easier for the department to manage the population. Kniest says the new prison at Bonne Terre could be up and fully functional by next January if the Legislature approves the funding this year.
