Pubdate: Tue, 13 Sep 2005
Source: Washington Examiner (DC)
Copyright: 2005 Washington Examiner
Contact:  http://www.dcexaminer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3788
Author: Anna Bailey
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

ADVOCATES CALL FOR REVIEW OF SENTENCING GUIDELINES

Group: Drug Offenders Treated More Harshly Than Violent Criminals

Despite Maryland's goal of seeking treatment for low-level drug offenders 
instead of the constant cycle of incarceration, criminal justice advocates 
are asking for a review of the state's current sentencing guidelines, 
saying they encourage longer sentences for drug offenses than for some 
violent crimes.

The Campaign for Treatment Not Incarceration found that individuals 
currently convicted of a single drug offense in Maryland were treated more 
harshly than those convicted of assault, burglary or robbery. The campaign 
says as many as 70 percent of those in prison this year for drug-related 
offenses have a substance-abuse problem at the root of their conviction.

"[They're] low-level, nonviolent drug offenders selling very small amounts 
of drugs to sustain a habit," said Jason Ziedenberg, executive director of 
the Justice Policy Institute, a nonprofit public research group that is 
part of the campaign.

Ziedenberg said those offenders on parole are often put back in prison for 
a violation such as testing positive for drug use or missing a meeting.

"Most people fail treatment the first couple times they go through," he 
said. "That's the reality of drug treatment - period."

In his 2003 State of the State address, Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. 
called for increased treatment and less incarceration for nonviolent drug 
offenders.

"We must work together to get nonviolent drug offenders out of jail and 
into treatment programs, where they belong," Ehrlich said.

In 2004, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation aimed at the 
issue through giving more options to prosecutors, judges and the Parole 
Commission. To complete the treatment effort, the campaign recommended 
Monday that the State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy examine 
reducing the sentencing guidelines used by judges to reduce sentences for 
nonviolent drug offenders.

The campaign says this would result in a 1,000-bed reduction in the prison 
population and $20 million in corrections savings that could be used for 
treatment efforts.

Quick facts:

- - An addict who sells a gram of cocaine to feed his or her habit is subject 
to the same recommended sentence as a drug dealer who sells 100 grams for 
profit.

- - Drug distribution cases often result in five-year sentences in courts 
statewide, comparable to or higher than assault, child abuse, burglary and 
arson.

- - On average, 3 percent of drug distribution cases in Maryland involve 
violence or weapons convictions.

Source: Campaign for Treatment Not Incarceration
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman