California to cut prison population

**baba** · #1 02-10-2009, 06:45 AM

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/10/...ons/index.html

I think this is good news. I have no hard data to back it up, but I'm guessing there are great deal of low risk prisoners, especially drug offenders, that would be better suited on probation than chewing up tax dollars in the pen.

What say you?

SteveC · #2 02-10-2009, 07:55 AM

Drug offenders are low risk? Don't they kill people and steal to support their habit. Sounds like good people to lock up to me. I'm all for saving tax dollars, but stepping up executions would help a lot more.

**baba** · #3 02-10-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

Drug offenders are low risk? Don't they kill people and steal to support their habit. Sounds like good people to lock up to me. I'm all for saving tax dollars, but stepping up executions would help a lot more.

Yes, some of them are low risk - I'd even suppose many. I think it's a very broad brush to paint all drug offenders as killers and thieves. Simple possession of coke, especially crack, has big jail time attached to it. They also spoke of rehabilitation programs, which many consider a better option for changing people's ways than the pen.

I'm also for stepping up executions in air tight cases, but that will never happen.

Valerus · #4 02-10-2009, 11:00 AM

Or they could just clear them all out...if you catch my drift.

The Crusader · #5 02-10-2009, 11:06 AM

this thread can't possibly last too long. but I think that it is currently a bad idea as these guys have already been exposed to the prison populace. however, I would be for not always locking someone up on drug charges under the right circumstances.

Pilgrim · #6 02-10-2009, 11:10 AM

My feeling is that we have WAY too many crimes with mandatory sentences, most of which are based on laws which were created to pander to interest or action groups. For instance, in some jurisdictions you can be categorized as a sex offender for life by being arrested for public urination.

I have no problem with early release for many groups of inmates that were jailed for this type of offense or for non-violent offenses - the sooner they get out of the prison population, the less they will be sucked into that terrible culture.

doctorjazz · #7 02-10-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

Drug offenders are low risk? Don't they kill people and steal to support their habit.

I believe the terms for those people are "murderers" and "thieves", and those are probably not the kinds of people looking at being released. As for a guy who gets put away for having a pretty big stash or for growing herb at home, why not release him?

Visirale · #8 02-10-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

Drug offenders are low risk? Don't they kill people and steal to support their habit. Sounds like good people to lock up to me. I'm all for saving tax dollars, but stepping up executions would help a lot more.

The average drug offender in prison committed no violent crime. They are in for years at a time costing the state money... all for possession.

It's also important to realize that the drugs themselves don't create the violence that does occur. That is done by the government's prohibition. For another example of violence caused by prohibition, look back to when alcohol was outlawed... plenty of violence and crime that could have been avoided, and was eventually stopped by ending the prohibition.

spc · #9 02-10-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

Drug offenders are low risk? Don't they kill people and steal to support their habit. Sounds like good people to lock up to me. I'm all for saving tax dollars, but stepping up executions would help a lot more.

Here's a nice balanced viewpoint...

Visirale · #10 02-10-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spc

Here's a nice balanced viewpoint...

One might even go as far to call it fair and balanced...

spc · #11 02-10-2009, 12:04 PM

Yes I suppose one might.

Barkless Dog · #12 02-10-2009, 12:07 PM

The three strike law was amazing. A guy got life in prison for stealing a videotape, his third crime. Yes, it was stupid of him.

They are making room for all the new criminals, as things decay, loose their jobs and become desperate to survive.

thesteve · #13 02-10-2009, 12:13 PM

Rehab is great for the people who go through with it. Part of what the state needs to maintain is prison for offenders that do not want to go through rehab. My brother-in-law works with the drug court system here in San Diego and from what he's talked about, the threat of jail time is one of the biggest motivations for drug offenders to stick with rehab programs.

GeneralElectric · #14 02-10-2009, 02:37 PM

I think it would make life far more exciting in Sunny California. That state could use a little pick me up that'll toughen them up.

Besides, everyone knows that ex-cons have the most interesting stories.

Sway420 · #15 02-10-2009, 03:29 PM

Legalize marijuana and release all marijauna offenders. It will bring in millions in taxes as well as solve that overcrowding issue. Anyone wanna elect me governor? hah

MakiSupaStar · #16 02-10-2009, 03:33 PM

Deport the criminals that are illegal aliens back to their country of origin, and or get the country of origin to foot the bill for housing them.

WickedPissah · #17 02-10-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visirale

One might even go as far to call it fair and balanced...

I see what you did there.

KrisH · #18 02-10-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

Drug offenders are low risk? Don't they kill people and steal to support their habit. Sounds like good people to lock up to me.

Well, if they've killed someone, then they're murderers, right?

MatticusMania · #19 02-10-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sway420

Decriminalize marijuana and release all marijauna offenders. It will bring in millions in taxes as well as solve that overcrowding issue. Anyone wanna elect me governor? hah

Edited.

MatticusMania · #20 02-10-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Deport the criminals that are illegal aliens back to their country of origin, and or get the country of origin to foot the bill for housing them.

+1

And if they shall be caught in Ca again...

Castration!

Double Castration!