Pubdate: Tue, 06 Jan 2004
Source: Savannah Morning News (GA)
Copyright: 2004 Savannah Morning News
Contact:  http://www.savannahnow.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/401
Author: Nate Reens
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

IDEAS WANTED TO REPAIR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROBLEMS

Savannah Sen. Regina Thomas Seeks Public Opinion On Corrections, Justice
Issues

Georgia's criminal justice system isn't broke, but it needs some
fixing. Sen. Regina Thomas, D-Savannah, wants to gather residents'
ideas on what to do about a system she says is overcrowded, doesn't
provide inmates enough training or rehabilitative opportunities and
mixes violent and non-violent offenders.

"We have so many issues that people need to be aware of and we need to
bring people to the table to understand what's happening," Thomas said
recently. "I have a lot of concerns and I get a lot of calls from
people with loved ones incarcerated and hear their concerns. We need
to bring people the nuts and bolts and give them the opportunity to
express themselves and suggest things."

Thomas, chair of the state Senate Committee on Corrections, is hosting
a 6 p.m. Friday town hall meeting at the St. Pius X Family Resource
Center, 705 E. Anderson St., to discuss such issues as the state's
two-strikes law, the possibility of introducing faith-based programs
in prisons and better ways to help inmates move from behind bars to
the streets.

Thomas said she expects representatives from the Department of
Corrections, the Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Department of
Juvenile Justice to be present for the discussion.

"Whatever people want to talk about, we'll talk about," she
said.

Brian Owens, executive assistant to Corrections chief James Donald, is
planning to attend in place of the recently-appointed department head.
Donald will be in Atlanta involved in budget hearings, Owens said.

Owens expects questions about inmate programming, prison overcrowding
and the possible repeal of mandatory minimum sentences. He will be
unable to answer questions about specific inmates, but will try to
address concerns of policy and procedure.

"If I can't answer it, I'll take a name and number and find out," he
said.

Owens also intends to discuss budget constraints the system faces. Two
years ago, the corrections share of the state budget was $968 million.
This year, the department is being asked to submit a proposal for
under $847 million.

The state's challenging financial picture may limit how fast the
system will change. The pinch has already claimed a local diversion
center that offered judges the flexibility of sentencing offenders to
probation, keeping them in the area to maintain community links and
employment.

Georgia's annual prison population from 1999 through Sunday. The year
end report for 2003 has not yet been released by the Department of
Corrections. 1999: 41,630

2000: 43,731

2001: 45,463

2002: 46,937

Sunday: 47,165

Source: Georgia Department of Corrections year end reports, Web site,
www.dcor.state.ga.us
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin