TOUGH CRIME STANCE TAKES TOLL

As sure as the campaign season gets into full swing in Alabama, so does the
"tough on crime" rhetoric. But before they go any further, we join the
Association of County Commissions of Alabama in asking the Legislature to
use a little common sense before they act.

No politician wants to be perceived as being soft on crime, so they pander
to gullible voters with legislation that keeps criminals behind bars
longer. The only problem is, there aren't enough bars to hold them all.

This past week, the House Judiciary Committee passed a bill to allow 13 to
15 year olds to be tried as adults in more serious crimes. At age 21, they
would be transferred to a state prison.

The committee rightly added an amendment, prohibiting young criminals from
staying in county jails more than 20 days before the transfer.

For decades, county jails have been filled to overflowing because there is
not enough room for prisoners in prison. A legal fight to force their move
from county facilities to state prisons is ongoing.

Yet the tough talk from politicians goes on.

"To continue to talk about getting tough on crime without taking into
consideration jail overcrowding is disturbing," said Sonny Brasfield,
assistant director of the association.

We couldn't agree more. It is irresponsible to continue to fill jail and
prison cells through stronger legislation when there isn't enough room to
handle today's prison-eligible population.

The amendment touted by the association is a good stopgap measure, but long
term problems still need addressing.

More funding needs to go toward at risk youth programs to turn wayward
lives around before they head to an already overcrowded prison system.

Lawmakers could better serve their constituents if they worked on the cause
of the problem instead of the symptoms.