WE MUST BE SMART ON CRIME, NOT TOUGH

People who break laws should accept the repercussions. However, more
attention is needed to reform the sentencing guidelines. Most are unaware of
their harshness. Judges have recently been ordered to follow the guidelines
more strictly. The Feeney Amendment was originally intended for cases of a
sexual nature, such as child sexual exploitation. Unfortunately, the
amendment makes it more difficult for judges to depart from the guidelines
in all cases. Previously, judges would have been able to depart slightly
from the guidelines for reasons of strong family and community ties, being a
first time non-violent offender or rehabilitative acts. We are losing
respected members of the judicial department. A judge in New York stepped
down in opposition to the sentencing guidelines.

Most power lies in the prosecutor's hands. Talk about leaving people in the
hands of lions. Prosecutors aren't concerned with fair and just sentences.
They care about making the kill, and appearing "tough" on crime. It is time
to be smart on crime, not tough.

There are 169,676 people in 103 federal institutions, and 83,676 or 54.6
percent are drug offenders. If any offender can be rehabilitated and become
functional citizens, it's first-time non-violent drug offenders. Instead,
they are serving five, 10, 20 or more years without parole and must serve 85
percent of the sentence.

Housing an inmate for one year costs $20,000. A more cost-effective and
better way for society is to supply alternative sentences, drug programs,
faith-based programs or something that works! The prison population
continues increasing, and so will the need for building prisons. Reform is
desperately needed. Please contact your officials, because it could affect
someone you care about.

Jennifer Weaver, Springfield