News (Media Awareness Project) - US MI: Editorial: Drug Laws: Crowded Prisons, Budget Reasons |
| Title: | US MI: Editorial: Drug Laws: Crowded Prisons, Budget Reasons |
| Published On: | 2002-12-10 |
| Source: | Lansing State Journal (MI) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-08-29 06:57:14 |
DRUG LAWS: CROWDED PRISONS, BUDGET REASONS TO AMEND STATUTES
State lawmakers are again rethinking the state's mandatory drug sentencing
laws - and none too soon.
The Michigan Department of Corrections estimates it will run out of space
to house prisoners by next summer.
At an annual cost of $17,670 to house a minimum security prisoner, Michigan
has to reconsider what have been among the toughest drug laws in the country.
Simply put, the state cannot afford to keep building and operating more
prisons to hold more nonviolent drug offenders.
Michigan has gradually reconsidered its drug laws, among the hardest in the
nation. Most recently, the House last week revisited the drug laws and
voted to abolish mandatory minimum drug sentences.
The legislation would allow greater sentencing discretion by judges.
Importantly, those serving terms under current law would be eligible for
parole after they serve a specified prison sentence.
Michigan's "lifer law," once the toughest is the nation, sent people for up
to life in prison if convicted of delivering 650 grams (about 1.5 pounds).
This did one thing remarkably well; it sent a lot of low-level drug dealers
to prison for a very long time.
Since that 1978 law took effect, hundreds of drug offenders have been
locked up. Some are still in prison.
It's estimated that it costs the state more than $6 million a year just to
house those who have been convicted under the "lifer law."
But for all that "toughness," Michigan - and the United States - are no
closer to winning the war on drugs.
Relaxing the state's mandatory drug sentencing laws is not a sign that
Michigan has gone soft on criminals. Rather, it's a realization that the
current laws don't work - and that drug treatment programs are more
effective an less costly than locking up drug offenders for decades.
The exploding cost of our state prison system, coupled with the ongoing
state budget crisis, demands that the Legislature change its tune.
The House made a good start last week. The Senate should follow the House's
lead.
State lawmakers are again rethinking the state's mandatory drug sentencing
laws - and none too soon.
The Michigan Department of Corrections estimates it will run out of space
to house prisoners by next summer.
At an annual cost of $17,670 to house a minimum security prisoner, Michigan
has to reconsider what have been among the toughest drug laws in the country.
Simply put, the state cannot afford to keep building and operating more
prisons to hold more nonviolent drug offenders.
Michigan has gradually reconsidered its drug laws, among the hardest in the
nation. Most recently, the House last week revisited the drug laws and
voted to abolish mandatory minimum drug sentences.
The legislation would allow greater sentencing discretion by judges.
Importantly, those serving terms under current law would be eligible for
parole after they serve a specified prison sentence.
Michigan's "lifer law," once the toughest is the nation, sent people for up
to life in prison if convicted of delivering 650 grams (about 1.5 pounds).
This did one thing remarkably well; it sent a lot of low-level drug dealers
to prison for a very long time.
Since that 1978 law took effect, hundreds of drug offenders have been
locked up. Some are still in prison.
It's estimated that it costs the state more than $6 million a year just to
house those who have been convicted under the "lifer law."
But for all that "toughness," Michigan - and the United States - are no
closer to winning the war on drugs.
Relaxing the state's mandatory drug sentencing laws is not a sign that
Michigan has gone soft on criminals. Rather, it's a realization that the
current laws don't work - and that drug treatment programs are more
effective an less costly than locking up drug offenders for decades.
The exploding cost of our state prison system, coupled with the ongoing
state budget crisis, demands that the Legislature change its tune.
The House made a good start last week. The Senate should follow the House's
lead.
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