PANEL OKS FEWER INMATES, ENHANCED DRUG TREATMENT

Savings On Prison Beds Would Be Earmarked For Therapy Program

A Denver lawmaker won support this week for a plan to slash prison
sentences for nonviolent drug offenders and to use the estimated $2.2
million a year in savings for drug treatment programs.

The proposed legislation, backed by the Colorado District Attorneys
Council, will save an estimated 100 prison beds over a three-year period.

We're supporting the plan "in hopes there will be money for treatment,"
said Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter.

"The only reason we came to the table is to have money available for
effective treatment."

The legislation won support from the Interim Committee on Criminal
Sentencing by a 7-3 vote Tuesday. It would reduce drug sentences by one or
two felony classes for cocaine, heroin, LSD and similar drug possessions
where less than a gram of the illegal substance was involved.

Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, pushed for the legislation.

"We're only talking about a gram or less of drugs," he said. "We should
hopefully free up money for the treatment of drug use that will increase
safety."

He noted the bill, which will be introduced in January when lawmakers
convene their 2002 session, also would increase the current surcharge on
drug convictions and earmark 25 percent of those funds for the new state
drug treatment program.

An exception in the new law would involve use of the so-called "date rape"
drug, where existing penalties would remain in place.

The bulk of the savings would not be realized until the fiscal year
beginning in 2004, which is when the $2.2 million would have to be
earmarked for the new drug treatment program.

Gordon said the figures were largely a guess, but experts predicted there
would be a savings of 100 prison beds at about $26,000 a year per bed.

"It's a long-range vision," said Adams County District Attorney Bob Grant.
"There will be untold hundreds who receive treatment if this works. And I
say 'if.'

"This has not been an easy sell to the prosecutors of the state. It won't
be an easy sell to the legislature. But it's the right thing to do. I think
it's a vision we all should ascribe to."

Among the "no" votes was Sen. Ken Arnold, R-Westminster, a retired Colorado
State Patrol officer, who said the legislation left too many unanswered
questions.

He expressed concern about how the new legislation would impact "what's
happening now with the 'Let's Make a Deal' program" -- the plea bargain
that district attorneys now use in handling drug cases by reducing charges
in exchange for a guilty plea.