'PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE DAY' PUSHES FOR REFORMS

Targets Sentencing Laws And Non-violent Offenses

A human rights advocacy group in Tucson has advice on how to help balance
the state budget: Reform sentencing laws and empty prisons of non-violent
offenders, the chronically ill and the elderly.

The American Friends Service Committee is holding "Prisoners Are People
Day" today outside the Himmel Park Branch Library, 1035 N. Treat Ave.

The event, which starts at noon, includes a presentation on an alternative
prison budget along with legal and spiritual speakers. There will also be
testimony from a former prisoner and the family of a man imprisoned now.

"Certainly, when you look at the financial impact, these are your taxes at
work to warehouse these people. We need to look at what we are creating and
what the impact is really going to be on us as a society,'' said Caroline
Isaacs, program coordinator for the organization's local chapter.

Terry Stewart, director of Arizona's Department of Corrections, said he
couldn't comment on the organization's proposals without doing an in-depth
study.

State lawmakers on March 19 allotted Stewart an additional $4.5 million in
its revised budget, rejecting the $9 million more he says he needs just to
keep the prisons running properly.

In early March, Stewart announced that all inmates working in the prison
system will be paid a nickel less an hour. Inmates get an average of 38
cents an hour, and the cut will save an estimated $350,000.

Stewart also said inmates will be served only two meals a day on Saturdays
and Sundays to save $700,000 through June 30.

Isaacs said prisoners' rights continue to be eroded as they are locked away
for longer periods with no incentive to improve themselves. "All we're
doing is creating a more angry and more disaffected and a more alienated
group of people,'' she said.

Isaacs said mandatory minimum sentencing laws are the main reason Arizona
and the nation fill prisons with non-violent offenders. The report, which
does not include estimates from trained statisticians, notes that many
states have already done away with mandatory minimums to save money.

The report focuses on the plight of non-violent women prisoners, drug-
addicted prisoners, the elderly and the chronically ill.

Legislators in some other states have reduced sentences for some drug and
non-violent offenses while eliminating mandatory minimums for non- violent
crimes, the report shows. And Virginia has passed legislation to allow
early release for all inmates over the age of 65 who have served a minimum
of five years.

Sen. Elaine Richardson, D-Tucson, chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary
Committee, and Rep. Roberta Voss, R-Glendale, who heads of the House
Judiciary Committee, did not return calls for comment.