Pubdate: Wed, 13 Nov 2002
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2002 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Thomas K. Carberry

PAYING FOR PRISONS

Re: "Owens seeks rise in prison spending," Nov. 3 news story.

Gov. Owens should reduce prison spending, not increase it. Colorado has 
about 18,000 people in prison today, more than half non-violent offenders 
and about 23 percent drug offenders. It costs many thousands to house each 
non-violent offender, much more than drug-treatment programs cost. America 
has become a police and prison state. It's time to recognize that locking 
up non-violent, poor, drug-addicted people does not work.

THOMAS K. CARBERRY

Denver
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart