We calculate that a reduction by one-half in the incarceration rate of non-violent offenders would lower correctional expenditures by $16.9 billion per year and return the U.S. to about the same incarceration rate we had in 1993 (which was already high by historical standards). The large majority of these savings would accrue to financially squeezed state and local governments, amounting to about one-fourth of their annual corrections budgets. As a group, state governments could save $7.6 billion, while local governments could save $7.2 billion.When I saw this graph I was reminded of a story I saw earlier this week, of a woman who was jailed because she called 911 asking them to find a husband for her. Clearly that was a boneheaded maneuver by an intoxicated woman, and clearly some form of punishment was appropriate, but incarceration is expensive. It would seem that the legal establishment could come up with more creative and less costly punishments for non-violent crimes, sort of like some traffic offenders are sentenced to pick up roadside litter.
Via The Daily Dish.
i'd be curious to know what percentage of these non-violent crimes are drug related and therefore the result of the reagan regime's 'just say no' war on drugs.
ReplyDeleteSorry old chap but you have nothing on the Australian laws.
ReplyDeleteA woman can get beaten up on a regular basis by her husband and nothing to little is done. This woman decides to protect herself and hits back. This is a true story. She is jailed, the husband has the kids so she can't leave even if she could. When she gets out this process will be repeated until he aventually kills his wife/partner.
One thing not brought out is the increasing tendency of state governments to bill inmates for time served. Someone I know spent 2 months in jail due to a drunk driving charge, and was billed $5000 by the state, which he had to pay or face further legal problems.
ReplyDeleteThere's an interesting comparison to be made by the fact that the 80's were when the privatization of our prison system began full heartedly under Reagan.
ReplyDeleteKeep that in mind, when people start to profit from jailing more people, more people start to get jailed.
There's social/political implications to who gets jailed. If you start wars based on lies or destroy an economy, no accountability. Steal a candy bar and off to jail you go. There's no real justice in our country anymore.
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