Kansas officials are discussing ways to respond to overcrowded prisons in a time of tight state budgets.

Kansas Corrections Secretary Ray Roberts says the best solutions will keep the public safe while releasing some prisoners early or keeping them out of prison in the first place.

Roberts told The Kansas City Star the solution could be a mix of building more prisons, housing prisoners in county jails or reducing recidivism by helping paroled prisoners.

Roberts says changes in state law that increased penalties for some crimes – at a time when budgets for programs to help prisoners have been cut – have contributed to the problem.

He is asking for $4.8 million to restore some housing, substance abuse treatment and education programs in the next fiscal year budget.