Pubdate: Wed, 08 Aug 2012
Source: Neshoba Democrat, The (MS)
Copyright: 2012 The Neshoba Democrat
Contact:  http://www.neshobademocrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1774

CORRECTIONS BLASTED BY GORDON

Circuit Judge Marcus Gordon criticized the Department of Corrections
as "more than any other agency detrimental to circuit courts" during
his speech Wednesday at The Neshoba County Fair.

He lamented the Legislature had given the department "unbridled
authority" over inmates.

Gordon said that while he and Circuit Judge Vernon Cotten have over
the past decade sentenced drug and burglary offenders to 587 years in
prison, only 180 years of those sentences have been served.

He said Corrections claims judges cannot revoke probation for the
commission of another crime and sentencing rules apply to judges, but
Corrections can release prisoners as it determines best.

Cotten followed Gordon and spoke on the success of his drug court. He
said of the participants, "They're not criminals, they're just sick."

Cotten noted the program is funded by the participants, prosecutors
and law enforcement must approve those in the program and drug court
does not accept drug dealers or violent offenders.

He warned about the increase in prescription drug abuse and synthetic
cannabinoids like "Spice" and bath salts.

He called the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes
"laughable, outrageous and scary" and maintained it continues to be a
"gateway" to harder drugs.

Other speakers included Chancery Judge Joey Kilgore who said while he
expects not everyone is happy with all the rulings in his first year
on the bench he has yet to be reversed by a higher court.

* Rep. C. Scott Bounds praised the Legislature's newfound "fiscal
responsibility" in appropriations.

* Sen. Giles Ward complained, "More people vote for a living than work
for a living" and said that a "massive expansion of Medicaid" in
Mississippi under Obamacare is "unaffordable."

* Public Service Commissioner Lynn Posey said the PSC continues to
monitor the Kemper County coal plant and praised Entergy Mississippi
for lower rates.
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MAP posted-by: Matt