Non-Violent Drug Offenders -Porp. 36
Have you heard the phrase "prisons are over populated!"? Statistics show 21.2% of low level drug offenders, that are incarcerated, do not have any current or prior violence in their records, no involvement in sophisticated criminal activity and no prior commitment. (USDOJ) Could this be the problem of prisons being over populated? There are many factors that need to be considered when looking for other possible methods of dealing with non-violent drug offenders. Some lawmakers believe the only way to deal with these offenders is to lock them up for long periods of time, while other feel the solution lies within treatment facilities and expanded social programs. With both sides having valid points we must then evaluate what is the cost of correcting this problem is and if fixing these non-violent offenders are worth it.
A plan that would help in the over population of the prisons is to have the non-violent drug offenders sent to treatment instead of prison, to have them spend time in halfway homes, and be monitored by probation officers. A plan called Proposition 36. This plan was passed by 61% of California voters in November 2000. This initiative allows people convicted of 1st and 2nd time nonviolent, simple drug possession to receive drug treatment instead of incarceration. (California Campaign for New Drug Policies) This way, prisons are not becoming over populated and the addiction is being treated. Costs of keeping offenders in prison are higher then what are the costs for an offender to receive treatment. Many addicts are serving time and not having there addiction treated. There are about 1.2 million individuals in state prisons; approximately 125,000 prisoners are nonviolent drug offenders. (Center for Policy Alternatives) Why are there so many non-violent drug offenders in prison? It is due primarily to mandatory sentences for drug offenders. Mandatory minimum sentences for first-time offenders range from five years for simple possession of
A plan that would help in the over population of the prisons is to have the non-violent drug offenders sent to treatment instead of prison, to have them spend time in halfway homes, and be monitored by probation officers. A plan called Proposition 36. This plan was passed by 61% of California voters in November 2000. This initiative allows people convicted of 1st and 2nd time nonviolent, simple drug possession to receive drug treatment instead of incarceration. (California Campaign for New Drug Policies) This way, prisons are not becoming over populated and the addiction is being treated. Costs of keeping offenders in prison are higher then what are the costs for an offender to receive treatment. Many addicts are serving time and not having there addiction treated. There are about 1.2 million individuals in state prisons; approximately 125,000 prisoners are nonviolent drug offenders. (Center for Policy Alternatives) Why are there so many non-violent drug offenders in prison? It is due primarily to mandatory sentences for drug offenders. Mandatory minimum sentences for first-time offenders range from five years for simple possession of
References: California Campaign for New Drug Policies. Prop 36: The Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act. Retrieved October 16, 2005, from http://www.drugreform.org/prop36/fulltext.tpl This site gives all the sections to the proposed Act of California Fields, G. (2005, November). Prison Blues: Bulging jails and tight budgets make job of guard even tougher. The Wall Street Journal, CCXLVI NO. 94, A1. The November Coalition. U.S. Department of Justice: An Analysis of Non-violent Drug Offenders with Minimal Criminal Histories. Retrieved November 16, 2005 from http://www.november.org/razorwire/rzold/20/20021.html Roleff, Tamara