Thursday, January 21, 2010
SOUTH CAROLINA MAY MAKE SOME REASONABLE COST- SAVING PRISON REFORMS
Although Laura Hudson, Executive Director of the South Carolina Victim's Council objects, it appears that South Carolina may decide to follow the example of Michigan rather than follow the example of Florida.
According to "Legislative report to call for changes":
A legislative committee will release a report by Feb. 1 that will call for changes in the punishments for dozens of crimes and will suggest using more alternative sentences for non-violent criminals.
The state's overcrowded prisons are a driving force behind the report, which is the result of more than a year of study by the S.C. Sentencing Reform Commission.
"I wouldn't say it's the number one reason, but it's an issue," said Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington, the commission chairman. "In order to continue on the path we're headed, we're going to have to build more prisons, and we don't have the funds to do that."
The commission hopes its recommendations ensure public safety by sending high-risk, violent offenders to jail for longer terms, Malloy said. At the same time, the state will need to reduce the prison time for other crimes.
The commission also will recommend that the state beef up its Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services to better supervise criminals once they are released from prison.
The commission will present draft legislation based on the report, Malloy said. The challenge will be finding money in a strapped state budget to implement some of the recommendations.
"The real answer to this is to build a new prison," said Laura Hudson, S.C. Crime Victims Council executive director.
Now, if the counties can just figure out which of those who are behind on their child support payments really deserve to be incarcerated for willful contempt. If they do that, maybe they will not have to either continue to increase the size of county jails or build new jails. Or, they will at least be able to determine whether the tax payers are benefiting from the incarceration of "Deadbeats."
Labels: "Deadbeat Dads", Civil Contempt, Jail Overcrowding, Judicial Reform
