Sunday, February 15, 2009
Judges Order Massive Prisoner Release
When I was a prosecutor I didn’t worry about jail or prison overcrowding. I used to say that my job was to fill the jails, not empty them. I also didn’t believe in treatment programs. I was convinced that they didn’t work and were a poor alternative to jail or prison.
However, in 2003, the good folks at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators, and National Association of Drug Court Professionals introduced me to a program for DWI offenders that works far better and costs far less: DWI Courts. I spent hundreds of hours researching the program and learned I was wrong. Studies have shown that properly run programs can dramatically reduce DWI recidivism and improve highway safety. Of course, it’s not all about DWI offenders. Research demonstrates that offenders who commit other crimes and have alcohol, drug or mental health misuse issues also can benefit from treatment and monitoring programs like drug court.
These programs are becoming increasingly important for another reason. Our nation’s jails and prisons are filling rapidly, courtesy of habitual-offender laws and “technical” violators. We simply cannot afford to build more correctional facilities, especially in this economy. We are reaching a tipping point and must take appropriate action.
Unfortunately, we’re running out of time; California has already crossed the line. Last week, Federal judges ordered the state to release up to 57,000 prisoners. To put this in perspective, there were only 506 incorporated municipalities with populations above 57,000 people at the time of the 2000 (http://www.demographia.com/db-2000city50kr.htm).
The judges opined that the release can be accomplished without jeopardizing public safety (http://www.reuters.com/article/wtMostRead/idUSTRE5190CB20090210). Those of us who remember prior mass releases know better!
If you think this can’t happen in your state, you’re probably wrong.
We need to stop sending people who commit lesser crimes to jail and prison for significant periods of time when more effective programs exist. We must create jail and prison space for the people who really need to be warehoused for the public’s good. And we must do so NOW. As the judges’ order demonstrates, if we don’t take control of the problem soon, it’s going to take control of us.
What do YOU say?
Stephen K. Talpins
Chief Executive Officer
National Partnership on Alcohol Misuse and Crime
