S.C. SHOULD TAKE BOLD STEP TO REDUCE CROWDING AT PRISONS

A proposal to reduce the number of inmates flowing into our state's
prisons deserves serious consideration.

We have urged lawmakers either to provide the money needed to deal
with the almost 1,000 additional offenders who crowd our prisons each
year or reduce the prison population. A bill prefiled by House Speaker
David Wilkins and others would create two programs aimed at reducing
prison population by monitoring nonviolent offenders out in the
community instead.

South Carolina's lock-'em mentality filled our prisons. However,
lawmakers failed to provide enough money to keep these inmates locked
away safely and securely. There are more than 24,000 inmates in our
prisons - 2,500 more than three years ago.

Meanwhile, the agency's budget has wilted. It ran a $21 million
deficit last fiscal year and has lost more than $70 million in funding
over the past four years. The number of officers guarding the
burgeoning prison population dropped from 7,000 to 5,500 over three
years. That is a recipe for disaster. Although prison officials say
the reduced staff did not play a role in a disturbance last year at
Lee Correctional Institution in which two guards were taken hostage,
such incidents are more likely to occur with fewer guards on the job.

Even if the new programs are effective, they will not resolve
Corrections' budget woes. Lawmakers still must provide adequate
funding to house inmates safely.

That said, the notion of reducing prison population is a
groundbreaking step for South Carolina. Less than a decade ago,
lawmakers were passing legislation to lock up as many people as fast
and for as long as possible.

We are especially pleased to see Speaker Wilkins, who was a leader in
passing tough-on-crime legislation in the 1990s, spearhead the push to
alleviate prison overcrowding. We commend him for his effort.

Under the "targeted release" and "alternative placement" programs, the
sentencing judge would recommend nonviolent offenders for
participation. Nonviolent inmates make up about half of our state's
prisoners. Many of them could be better rehabilitated through
treatment and alternatives to incarceration. Kept in prison, they
consume precious space and resources needed to house more dangerous
and violent criminals.

The targeted release plan would allow Corrections to release
nonviolent inmates serving between 91 days and one year into the
community before the end of their term. The inmates would have to meet
a curfew, find a job, participate in educational and counseling
programs, refrain from using alcohol and nonprescription medication or
drugs and pay a supervision fee. Inmates who fail to obey the rules
could be returned to prison.

Under the alternative placement program, Corrections could place
nonviolent criminals serving between one and five years in a
specialized institutional program. After six months, the agency could
transfer the inmate to a structured community program. The inmates
would have to follow many of the rules for those under the targeted
release plan. They also could be required to attend a residential
program or day reporting center or be subject to electronic monitoring
or other supervision.

The legislation also would give Corrections more flexibility in
managing "good time," slight reductions in sentences inmates earn for
good behavior.

This bill is not perfect; lawmakers should thoroughly debate it and
make necessary improvements. In the end, we hope to see bold
legislation that helps ease prison overcrowding.