KEEPING CRIMINALS IN JAIL MAKES OUR STREETS SAFER

In an effort to stave off overcrowded prisons and keep violent
criminals behind bars, Gov. Jeb Bush should be commended for asking
the Legislature to increase spending for the state prison system.

Society has grown weary of criminals, especially those who commit
violent felonies. If - as seems likely - keeping criminals in jail
means less crime, then having criminals in jail is a plus for most
people who are not in jail, and society in general.

Bush's request comes as lawmakers are at the Capitol for a special
session on medical malpractice insurance. The plan calls for putting
about $60 million more into the prison budget. The corrections budget
for the 2003-2004 fiscal year is $1.82 billion. The increase would
take it to about $1.88 billion.

In 2002, Florida's prison system numbers increased 3.9 percent with
75,210 prisoners behind bars. Last month that figure had climbed to
77,188.

Clearly there are some people convicted of non-violent crimes who do
not need to be remain incarcerated. They can work or do community
service from their homes, and when properly monitored are not much of
a threat to other people.

But with violent criminals - especially repeat offenders - the rest of
us are better protected by jailing them. And keeping them behind bars
longer is a crucial step to keeping our streets safer.

Police say that a large percentage of crime is committed by repeat
offenders. If you put them in jail, and keep them longer, the results
should be less crime.

It seems logical that keeping violent criminals - murderers, rapists
and armed robbers - in jail longer will make the streets safer.

While it is hard to prove what impact longer jail sentences have on
the crime rate, one thing is certain: No criminal can commit a crime
on the street if he or she is in prison.