TAKING SECOND LOOK AT BEING 'TOUGH ON CRIME'

A state legislative commission, created by former Gov. Roy Barnes, set out
to find ways of conducting the business of crime and punishment more fairly
and economically. Its review of sentencing laws passed when being "tough on
crime" was a ticket to political office was particularly timely in the face
of an alarming budget crisis.

Gov. Sonny Perdue has replaced that 19-member commission with an informal
working group, primarily professionals from the judicial system, but hasn't
given it a definite timetable or deadline for implementing new policies.

Georgia's prison policies must serve both justice and the taxpayer.
Certainly incorrigible, violent offenders must be kept off the streets as
long as possible. But Georgia's "tough on crime" attitude deals out lengthy
sentences to so many nonviolent drug and property crime offenders that some
violent criminals are released early to make room. The U.S. Department of
Justice reports Georgia's prison population at 50,922 in May. That's 9.5
percent over capacity.

Georgia needs to find ways to reduce prison population that will save
money, assure public safety and return some degree of balance to penal
policies.

Perdue's working group must ask if prison is the right place for most
nonviolent offenders. With those incarcerated on drug charges, they make up
47 percent of Georgia's prison population. Lowered sentencing guidelines
and alternative sentencing solutions for nonviolent and drug offenders
would free prison space for violent criminals and save money.

Alternative sentencing programs also can prevent nonviolent offenders from
leaving prison schooled into hardened criminals by those with whom they
were incarcerated.

Georgia's three-strikes laws are counterproductive in practice, however
good in theory. They drain public coffers and also harden lesser offenders.

Barnes' original commission recommended reduced sentences for property
crimes and drug offenses, paired with longer sentences for sex offenders
and violent criminals. Perdue's working group should follow suit.

Viewing drug offenses as a public health problem rather than a crime is not
an idea whose time has arrived. But is it reasonable to put nonviolent
addicts behind bars rather than providing them with treatment? The high
rate of recidivism among drug offenders suggests that it's neither
rehabilitative nor cost-effective. More cost-effective punishments are
available.

"Tough on crime" platforms appeal to lawmakers, but at about $20,000 per
year per inmate, overzealous incarceration doesn't promote public safety,
just poorer taxpayers. Let's free prison space for violent criminals and
place nonviolent offenders in more cost-effective facilities or alternative
types of punishment.