Pubdate: Fri, 18 Jan 2002 Source: Birmingham News (AL) Copyright: 2002 The Birmingham News Contact: http://www.al.com/bhamnews/bham.html Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/45 SENTENCING REFORM Commission's Task To Take Another Year The problems within the state's corrections system that the Alabama Sentencing Commission must address are many and complex. They don't lend themselves to quick, simple solutions. Formed two years ago by the Legislature to review the state's sentencing structure and recommend changes, the commission has learned it needs more time, more money and more access to criminal records to complete its task. While it's disappointing the panel won't be making its much anticipated recommendations to the Legislature this year, legislators ought to make sure the commission has the tools to finish its work by the start of the 2003 legislative session its new target date. The commission is asking the Legislature for $377,000 to fund it for another year, while adding a researcher/analyst to its staff, and to pass legislation giving it access for research purposes to now confidential information about offenders. The Legislature should oblige. Not because $377,000 is an insignificant amount of money (finding any money in an even-tighter-than-usual General Fund budget will be a tough trick), but because the commission's role in reforming the system that determines how long convicts are sentenced and how long they actually remain behind bars is essential. And because the cost of not reforming the system is much higher. Among the problems plaguing the system are ranges of sentences that are too broad, resulting in disparate treatment for convicts; the lack of any semblance of truth in sentencing, resulting in a system where convicts routinely serve only a fraction of their sentence; and a mandatory sentencing law that is too rigid and keeps nonviolent offenders taking up precious prison space that should be used to keep violent criminals locked up longer. All of these contribute to prison overcrowding. A state prison system built to handle 10,000 inmates is crammed full with more than 26,000. Then there are parole and the state's complicated system of "good time" credit, which make it anyone's guess as to how long a convict will be behind bars. Also, throw in alternatives to prisons such as community-based work programs and substance abuse treatment, as well as post-release supervision (Alabama probation officers have a caseload more than double the national average). All of these issues must be weighed. Sentencing Commission members found that even studying the problem is difficult, because they are hamstrung by a lack of compiled information on offenders and by state confidentiality laws that keep it from getting information it needs to complete its study. Without adequate information, it's impossible to do the type of comprehensive analysis the commission has been called upon to do. And, of course, without such an analysis, commission members can't recommend needed changes to the system. Legislators should give the commission what it needs, and commissioners must make sure they have a complete plan ready for lawmakers to act on at the beginning of next year's session. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth