Lawmakers are considering making changes to the state’s prison system. On Monday, experts spoke about the growing prison population and the need for reform in the criminal justice system.

Kansas' prison population is expected to increase by 25 percent in the next 10 years. Advocates are saying that programs to keep substance abusers from re-offending will lower that trend. Right now nearly half of all released prisoners are back in jail within a year.

"You’re going to be spending money in more treatment in prison and outside prison, but those costs are a lot lower than building new prisons and operating new prisons,” criminal justice expert Dr. Tony Fabelo said.

Saving money and increasing public safety are what he says will result from the programs. No word yet on when or if any of these new reforms would be put in place.