News (Media Awareness Project) - US MO: Editorial: Tough On Crime |
| Title: | US MO: Editorial: Tough On Crime |
| Published On: | 2002-01-26 |
| Source: | Joplin Globe, The (MO) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-24 23:04:58 |
TOUGH ON CRIME
In our view
Missouri is tough on crime. That is the message to be read in a
Bureau of Justice Statistics study that shows violent felons serve
about 86 percent of their sentences, the highest percentage of any
state in the study and 30 percent above the national average. The
typical violent felon serves seven years, well above the national
average of 4.4 years.
Furthermore, Missouri's no-nonsense approach to dealing with crime
and criminals has carried over to the parole system. About 60 percent
of those released are returned to prison for parole violations or the
commission of other crimes.
The predictable result is that the state's prison population has
increased to 38,600 inmates and beds in a new prison will be filled,
according to Tim Kniest, a spokesman for the Corrections Department,
by October 2004.
What's the solution? Building more prisons? Improving work-release or
early-release programs? Eliminating jail time for nonviolent
offenders and putting them back into their communities in supervised
programs as alternative punishment?
The fact is that Missourians want violent criminals segregated away
from society for as long as possible. Precious prison space is being
taken by those convicted of nonviolent crimes. We believe that
alternative corrections programs can deal effectively with these
individuals and perhaps even put them on the straight and narrow.
Sen. Harold McCasky, D-Butler, wants to shorten sentences and use
alternative programs to free up space for violent felons, who make up
nearly half of the state's inmate population.
That seems doable, if approached correctly. For instance, those
inmates who are placed in such programs should be kept on a short
leash and given no leniency if they commit additional crimes or
violate conditions of their limited freedom.
Being tough on crime doesn't have to mean putting all felons, violent
and otherwise, behind bars and throwing away the keys. But saving
dollars by opening up prison space is cost-effective only if society
isn't forced to pay even more dearly in new crimes later.
In our view
Missouri is tough on crime. That is the message to be read in a
Bureau of Justice Statistics study that shows violent felons serve
about 86 percent of their sentences, the highest percentage of any
state in the study and 30 percent above the national average. The
typical violent felon serves seven years, well above the national
average of 4.4 years.
Furthermore, Missouri's no-nonsense approach to dealing with crime
and criminals has carried over to the parole system. About 60 percent
of those released are returned to prison for parole violations or the
commission of other crimes.
The predictable result is that the state's prison population has
increased to 38,600 inmates and beds in a new prison will be filled,
according to Tim Kniest, a spokesman for the Corrections Department,
by October 2004.
What's the solution? Building more prisons? Improving work-release or
early-release programs? Eliminating jail time for nonviolent
offenders and putting them back into their communities in supervised
programs as alternative punishment?
The fact is that Missourians want violent criminals segregated away
from society for as long as possible. Precious prison space is being
taken by those convicted of nonviolent crimes. We believe that
alternative corrections programs can deal effectively with these
individuals and perhaps even put them on the straight and narrow.
Sen. Harold McCasky, D-Butler, wants to shorten sentences and use
alternative programs to free up space for violent felons, who make up
nearly half of the state's inmate population.
That seems doable, if approached correctly. For instance, those
inmates who are placed in such programs should be kept on a short
leash and given no leniency if they commit additional crimes or
violate conditions of their limited freedom.
Being tough on crime doesn't have to mean putting all felons, violent
and otherwise, behind bars and throwing away the keys. But saving
dollars by opening up prison space is cost-effective only if society
isn't forced to pay even more dearly in new crimes later.
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
