Pubdate: Sun, 22 Jun 2003
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2003 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Contact:  http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28
Author: Sara Totonchi

MORE OPTIONS TO INCARCERATION WOULD SAVE TAXPAYERS MONEY, ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY

I agree with Rep. Tom Bordeaux's (D-Savannah) sentiment that we should
exchange the "tough on crime" mantra and replace it with "smart on
crime" ("Georgia prisons packed," News, June 16).

Georgia overincarcerates. More than 50 percent of the people
incarcerated in Georgia's prisons are nonviolent offenders. We need
more options to incarceration, such as drug courts, pretrial release
programs, community service and transitional centers. We could save
money by redirecting funds spent on incarceration to education, crime
prevention and drug treatment, which have been shown to reduce crime
and recidivism, not to mention save taxpayer dollars.

Crime prevention efforts such as education, drug treatment, job and
community development will save money in the long run by avoiding the
need for incarceration later.

In light of our state's budget crisis, we need fiscally responsible
solutions to crime that will enhance public safety, rather than the
pseudo-solution of overincarceration.

SARA TOTONCHI

Totonchi, of Atlanta, is public policy coordinator of the Southern
Center for Human Rights.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake