LISTEN TO SENTENCING REFORM PANEL

A bill introduced this month in the state Senate would adopt changes
in sentencing rules that were recommended by the legislatively created
S.C. Sentencing Reform Commission. These, by and large, are sensible
changes that will alleviate prison crowding, save tax dollars and help
prevent repeat offenses.

As lawmakers debate this bill that mirrors the Sentencing Reform
Commission's recommendations they should resist the temptation to
tinker with the set of changes recommended by the commission they
appointed. The changes won't work if they're adopted in piecemeal
fashion to meet the whims of individual lawmakers or the expectations
of certain narrow constituencies.

Making changes to the substance of the bill would defeat the purpose
for which the commission was created: To put sentencing changes in the
hands of a group of people who have expertise on the issue.

The changes would further define violent and nonviolent crimes,
streamline sentencing to ensure there is room in state prisons for the
most violent offenders, and reduce sentences for some nonviolent
crimes while taking steps to help reduce recidivism. In addition,
steps would be taken to help inmates who are released better adapt to
life outside of prison, again in an effort to reduce repeat offenses.

These changes are needed in part because mandatory sentencing and
other factors have left South Carolina's prisons bursting at the
seams, and that has dramatically increased the cost of running the
Corrections Department and made Corrections employees, inmates and
state residents less safe.

According to the report by the Sentencing Reform Commission, the
state's prison population has increased to more than 25,000 inmates
from 9,137 inmates in 1983. The Corrections Department budget
increased more than 500 percent -- to $394.1 million from $63.7 million
- -- between 1983 and 2008. Nearly half of the state's inmates are being
held for nonviolent offenses. If nothing changes, it could cost $317
million to add the prison space needed to house the growing prison
population. And the state just doesn't have the money to do that.

The commission reports that implementing its recommendations would
save taxpayers $92 million in operating costs over five years.

The changes also will make Corrections employees and inmates safer.
Overcrowding creates dangerous situations and inhibits guards'
abilities to protect themselves and inmates.

In addition, the legislation would call upon the Department of
Probation, Parole and Pardon Services to work with inmates to ensure
the department is helping them avoid repeat offenses. Part of that
effort includes reducing the number of former inmates sent back to
prison for technical violations of their probation or parole.

Other recommendations would establish options for community-based
treatment and programs like the drug courts that have worked in
Greenville and that would help nonviolent offenders avoid prison if
they can put their lives back together.

In addition, the legislation creates a Sentencing Oversight Committee
that will monitor the implementation of the recommendations.

This is solid legislation that enacts the common-sense recommendations
of the Sentencing Reform Commission. Lawmakers should approve this
bill.