North Dakota senators have endorsed a state corrections budget that includes $42 million for prison remodeling and construction as well as more spending for the supervision of former inmates.

Declining recidivism rates and a possible leveling off in the number of North Dakota's male penitentiary inmates may signal that a new prison is not needed, said Sen. Aaron Krauter, D-Regent.

On March 1, the state prison system had 1,243 male inmates, which was 124 fewer than the Legislature had projected, Krauter said.

"We're starting to see a plateau in male inmates," Krauter said. "That's why I feel that maybe, building a new prison isn't quite right at this time."

Senators approved, 45-0, the spending plan for the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on Monday.

The $162 million bill now goes to the state House.

- Associated Press