Wow what are they thinking

[dukalmighty]

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States may free inmates to save millions By RAY HENRY, Associated Press Writer
16 minutes ago



Lawmakers from California to Kentucky are trying to save money with a drastic and potentially dangerous budget-cutting proposal: releasing tens of thousands of convicts from prison, including drug addicts, thieves and even violent criminals.

(Officials acknowledge that the idea carries risks), but they say they have no choice because of huge budget gaps brought on by the slumping economy.

"If we don't find a way to better manage the population at the state prison, we will be forced to spend money to expand the state's prison system — money we don't have," said Jeff Neal, a spokesman for Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri.

At least eight states are considering freeing inmates or sending some convicts to rehabilitation programs instead of prison, according to an Associated Press analysis of legislative proposals. If adopted, the early release programs could save an estimated $450 million in California and Kentucky alone.

A Rhode Island proposal would allow inmates to deduct up to 12 days from their sentence for every month they follow rules and work in prison. Even some violent offenders would be eligible but not those serving life sentences.

A plan in Mississippi would offer early parole for people convicted of selling marijuana or prescription drugs. New Jersey, South Carolina and Vermont are considering funneling drug-addicted inmates into treatment, which is cheaper than prison.

The prospect of financial savings offers little comfort to Tori-Lynn Heaton, a police officer in a suburb of Providence whose ex-husband went to prison for beating her. He has already finished his prison term, but would have been eligible for early release under the current proposal.

"You're talking about victim safety. You're talking about community member safety," she said. "You can't balance the budget on the backs of victims of crimes."

But prisons "are one of the most expensive parts of the criminal-justice system," said Alison Lawrence, who studies corrections policy for the National Conference of State Legislatures. "That's where they look to first to cut down some of those costs."

Rhode Island Corrections Director A.T. Wall was not sure how many prisoners could be freed early. The payoff for doing so may be relatively small: less than $1 million for the first fiscal year, although that figure would increase over time.

In California, where lawmakers have taken steps to cut a $16 billion budget deficit in half by summer, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed saving $400 million by releasing more than 22,000 inmates who had less than 20 months remaining on their sentences. Violent and sex offenders would not be eligible.

Laying off prison guards and making it more difficult to send parole violators back to state prison would account for part of the savings.

Law enforcement officials and Republican lawmakers immediately criticized Schwarzenegger's proposal, which would apply to car thieves, forgers, drunken drivers and some drug dealers. Some would never serve prison time because the standard sentence for those crimes is 20 months or less.

"To open the prison door and release prisoners back into communities is merely placing a state burden onto local governments and will ultimately jeopardize safety in communities," said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer, who could see 1,800 inmates released in his area.

In Kentucky, which faces a $1.3 billion deficit, lawmakers approved legislation Wednesday to grant early release to some prisoners. Initial estimates were that the plan could affect as many as 2,000 inmates and save nearly $50 million.

If the governor signs the bill, the exact number of prisoners would be determined by prison officials. Violent convicts and sexual offenders would be exempt.

Gov. Steve Beshear has said Kentucky must review its policies after the state's inmate population jumped 12 percent last year — the largest increase in the nation.

Kentucky spends more than $18,600 to house one inmate for a year, or roughly $51 a day. In California, each inmate costs an average of $46,104 to incarcerate.

The prison budget in Mississippi has nearly tripled since stricter sentencing laws took effect in 1994.

To curb spending, lawmakers have offered a bill to make about 7,000 drug offenders in prison eligible for parole. A second proposal would allow the parole board to release inmates convicted of selling marijuana and prescription drugs after serving just a quarter of their sentences. Currently, they must serve 85 percent of their terms before release.

Michigan is trying to speed up the parole process for about 3,500 inmates who were convicted of nonviolent, nonsexual offenses, or who are seriously ill.

Barbara Sampson, chairwoman of the Michigan Parole Board, said early release often makes sense, especially for low-risk offenders who get help rebuilding their lives.

"Getting that prisoner back to the community so that he can stay connected to his family, getting him back into the work force ... that's a positive thing," she said. (In other words he needs to be out robbing people)

But not everyone is sold on the idea.

"Economics cannot be the engine that drives the train of public safety," said Terrence Jungel, executive director of the Michigan Sheriffs' Association. "Government has no greater responsibility than the protection of its citizens."
Makes sense to me, disarm people then let criminals out to rape plunder and pillage

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[bpet]

I believe that this is not an issue that can be blamed on budget shortfall because of the downturn in the economy. Instead, I believe it should be blamed on priorities of ordinary citizens and politicians. If current budgets were to be applied based on REAL priorities verse POLITICAL priorities, there would likely be enough to keep the scum off the streets. I guess it's easier and gets more votes by promising a new library and more landscaping at city hall than it is to say - "Your choice folks - I can keep the scum in jail or I can make your life "nicer".

Amazing how we want safer and better (nicer) surroundings without really considering the trade offs or real cost.

[tboesche]

Build a 30 foot wall around manhatten, mine the bridges and tunnells, and drop all of the BG's inside.

[KD5NRH]

Build a 30 foot wall around manhatten,

Starts out good...

mine the bridges and tunnells,

...gets better...

and drop all of the BG's inside.

...and ends almost great. You should specify a minimum 15,000 foot drop height, though.

[Lodge2004]

and drop all of the BG's inside.

...and ends almost great. You should specify a minimum 15,000 foot drop height, though.

Many years ago when I was stationed at Ft. Sill, we did Saturday morning target drops on the gunnery ranges. The targets looked like giant lawn darts and the crewchief would launch them by hand off the loading ramp of a CH-47 from several hundred feet. On more than one occasion, calls would come in to the base from local residents who were freaking out because they thought we were throwing "prisoners" out of the aircraft.

[melkor41]

Build a 30 foot wall around manhatten, mine the bridges and tunnells, and drop all of the BG's inside.

This guy and I both approve!

[45 4 life]

I believe there is a county Sheriff in Arizona who may be able to give these states some pointers for controlling their budgets!

[Tactical_Texan_CHL]

Many years ago when I was stationed at Ft. Sill, we did Saturday morning target drops on the gunnery ranges. The targets looked like giant lawn darts and the crewchief would launch them by hand off the loading ramp of a CH-47 from several hundred feet. On more than one occasion, calls would come in to the base from local residents who were freaking out because they thought we were throwing "prisoners" out of the aircraft.

What?! No, you can't have seconds on dinner!!! That's taxpayer money! That's it, you get a plane ride!

[flintknapper]

and drop all of the BG's inside.

...and ends almost great. You should specify a minimum 15,000 foot drop height, though.

Many years ago when I was stationed at Ft. Sill, we did Saturday morning target drops on the gunnery ranges. The targets looked like giant lawn darts and the crewchief would launch them by hand off the loading ramp of a CH-47 from several hundred feet. On more than one occasion, calls would come in to the base from local residents who were freaking out because they thought we were throwing "prisoners" out of the aircraft.

I don't get it. What would be wrong with that.

[boomerang]

Loosen up the self defense and concealed carry laws.

More criminals will be shot and killed, saving taxpayers money they would have spent on trials and prison. Dead criminals don't commit future crimes so that doubles, triples or maybe even quadruples the taxpayers' savings. Some people might go straight instead of staying crooks and they will pay taxes on their legitimate income.

Win. Win. Win.

[.40calMedic]

How about the prisons all start limiting the freedoms of prison-life? Isnt that what prison is supposed to be? The removal from society because they can't play well with others? Maybe prisons should be modeled after Maricopa County AZ and Joe Arpaio's way of operating a financially responsible detention center...

[The Annoyed Man]

Kentucky spends more than $18,600 to house one inmate for a year, or roughly $51 a day. In California, each inmate costs an average of $46,104 to incarcerate.

Californians, say "thank you" to your prison guards union - the single most powerful political force in the state. More so than even the teachers union. Gray Davis gave them their current contract in exchange for their support during his election campaign. And now Schwarzenegger has to deal with it. Remember when President Reagan broke the air traffic controllers union? That's what needs to happen to California's prison guards union. It's the only thing that will fix the problem.

[KBCraig]

Or they could, oh, I don't know, get rid of some of the most expensive laws that are putting the folks in jail in the first place?

Thank you.

The exploding prison population isn't because we have more criminals in America, it's because we have more politicians determined to prove they are "tough on crime!"

The vast majority of "crime" for which these "criminals" are incarcerated, doesn't harm anyone except themselves. And sometimes, not even then; many "felons" harmed no one at all, but broke some rule on paper.

[Lodge2004]

The vast majority of "crime" for which these "criminals" are incarcerated, doesn't harm anyone except themselves. And sometimes, not even then; many "felons" harmed no one at all, but broke some rule on paper.

I was on a Jury this week, and after listening to numerous members of an extended family testify, saw how "the state" serves the role of "parent" in the life of many. The 26 year old defendant was a 6th grade dropout who had spent his entire life on probation or in jail. Unfortunately, the acorn did not fall very far from the tree because everyone he ever knew or was related to had a similar story.

Many of the early crimes were of a sort that could have been resolved within the family and/or by giving this young man a stern attitude readjustment (spare the rod, spoil the child). Unfortunately, as you proceed down the path of committing crimes, the level and frequency tend to escalate until you eventually do something that earns serious time in the big house. Then, after attending the graduate school of crime, you rejoin society and the level and frequency jumps to a whole new level. Then.....

The combination of a disfunctional family + misguided and hopeless person + a risk averse and overly intrusive state + an apathetic society = lifelong criminals. Although I am a huge believer in individual responsibility for your actions, I could not get over the feeling that "the state" played a significant role in creating (or allowing the creation of) the criminal before me.