DRUG COURTS NEED LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT

Hinds program a model for the state

Mississippi lawmakers reluctant to amend the "Truth in Sentencing Law"
requiring all inmates to serve 85 percent of their sentences can look to
Hinds County for a solution.

Spearheaded by state Rep. Alyce Clarke, D-Jackson, a new court targets
individuals age 17 and older whose drug addiction is considered the primary
cause of criminal activity. It's not for hard-core offenders, who go to a
separate court.

Rather than funneling first-time offenders into prison, this program offers
drug treatment as its primary option.

It's estimated 50 percent of the state's prison population is doing time on
drug charges and another 25 percent to 30 percent on charges related to
addiction.

Because it costs about $30,000 per year to house each state prisoner,
taxpayers are essentially paying for the criminalization and warehousing of
offenders who could be successfully weaned from their addictions and away
from crime.

This is but one viable option to reduce prison crowding — and costs —
without being considered "soft" on crime. Mississippi lawmakers should
expand the program statewide.