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| A Look at Prison and Sentencing Debate Across the Nation |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 03/20/2003 |
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In state capitals across the country, governors, lawmakers and corrections officials are reconsidering prison and sentencing policies in light of the severe budget problems facing most states. Some of the most notable examples: ALABAMA: Sentencing commission wants lawmakers to raise dollar amounts that define property crimes, a move that could mean fewer thieves in jam-packed prisons. State is under court orders to ease backlog of state inmates in county jails. ARIZONA: Might reduce funding for counties which send increased numbers of criminals to prison. ARKANSAS: Gov. Mike Huckabee is urging legislators to consider keeping more nonviolent offenders out of prison. CALIFORNIA: Lawmakers have proposed saving $83.6 million over 16 months by making it possible for more nonviolent inmates to qualify for maximum sentence-reducing 'good time' credits. INDIANA: Two legislators suggest religious groups be recruited to curtail cost of helping released inmates make transition back into society. IOWA: To cope with prison crowding, state Rep. Todd Taylor proposes review of rules requiring prisoners to serve 85 percent of their sentences. He says option of earlier release would provide incentive to behave well. KANSAS: In bid to ease overcrowding, the legislature is considering plan to move hundreds of drug offenders from prisons into treatment programs. KENTUCKY: Gov. Paul Patton released 883 inmates several months before the end of their sentences to try to keep prison budget intact. MICHIGAN: Corrections officials drafting plan to ease prison crowding by releasing some convicts who, instead of imprisonment, would be subjected to electronic monitoring. MINNESOTA: Will run out of prison beds as soon as July; options include renting beds in other states. Gov. Tim Pawlenty opposes releasing prisoners early, but would consider putting nonviolent offenders in boot camps or other less costly programs. MISSISSIPPI: Saved $11.6 million since July 2001 by reducing mandatory sentences for some nonviolent offenders. Officials seeking further savings; one proposal would remove 180-day cap from earned time inmates can accumulate for earlier release. MONTANA: State Rep. Jim Shockley sponsoring bill that would let state corrections director release certain prisoners up to 90 days before their sentences expire. NORTH CAROLINA: Officials project prisons will be over capacity by nearly 1,300 inmates by next year. Sentencing commission drafting proposals that could shorten some sentences by three months. NEBRASKA: Swift changes needed to head off mounting prison crowding crisis, according to task force created by Gov. Mike Johanns. It recommends greater use of community-based programs - particularly for offenders with drug and alcohol problems. NEW YORK: Republican Gov. George Pataki wants to offer well-behaved drug offenders chance to get out of prison early and cut parole time, moves that would save millions of dollars. Some Democratic lawmakers favor more sweeping overhaul of tough drug laws. OHIO: Will close 88-year-old Lima Correctional Institution by July, the second prison closure in two years. Will also close juvenile detention center for girls. OKLAHOMA: Reduced sentences for drug possession and better substance abuse programs are among recommendations from commission trying to save money by reducing skyrocketing prison population. OREGON: Some local jails have released inmates early. Oregon Youth Authority will eliminate 250 beds and 264 jobs by closing four juvenile detention centers. PENNSYLVANIA: Corrections Secretary Jeff Beard says department studying ways to reduce amount of time nonviolent offenders spend in prison. SOUTH CAROLINA: Corrections Department - its budget already cut 23 percent since 2001 - is suggesting several moneysaving options that could free up to 4,000 inmates. TEXAS: Department of Criminal Justice, like other state agencies, has been asked to cut spending by 7 percent. Potential targets for savings include education, health and rehabilitation programs. UTAH: Legislators proposed releasing 300 convicts early and shutting down a prison wing to save $3.5 million a year. WASHINGTON: Gov. Gary Locke has proposed reducing some prison terms and eliminating some community supervision of ex-convicts. WISCONSIN: Under Gov. Jim Doyle's budget plan, about 400 nonviolent offenders who violate terms of probation or parole would avoid prison and enter rehabilitation program. |
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