That’s why it’s important that lawmakers and residents give proposals to allow for the possibility of sentencing alternatives for certain nonviolent offenders a fair hearing.
Gov. Ed Rendell and state associations representing district attorneys and county commissioners want state lawmakers to consider proposals that would allow for shorter sentences or for alternative programs that focus on rehabilitation.
Some of the ideas are similar to efforts already under way in Blair County.
State Corrections Secretary Jeffrey A. Beard told The Associated Press that Pennsylvania is incarcerating nearly 46,000 people in state prisons and community corrections centers. And that number is increasing by about 200 per month.
The state plans to build three new prisons, two of which will be located next to correctional institutions at Huntingdon and Rockview. The three new prisons, at a cost of $500 million, are projected only to meet the state’s needs for five years. After that, Beard says the state will need to add a 2,000-bed prison annually.
The problem with a burgeoning prison population also is an issue for county prisons, which hold about 30,000 inmates.
Blair County has been working to reduce overcrowding by moving inmates serving more than two years to state prisons. In addition, Blair Court has instituted a Drug Court and a DUI Treatment Court that focus on treatment rather than just putting offenders in jail. If the offenders can be rehabilitated, it might reduce the risk of committing repeat offenses.
The governor’s proposals could mean that 6,000 nonviolent offenders could receive shorter sentences or be placed in rehabilitation programs in lieu of jail.
If these efforts are successful in preventing repeat offenses, it could slow the growth of the prison population and ease the need to spend huge sums of taxpayer money on building and operating new jails.
When it comes to crime, the common sentiment is to “lock them up,” and in many cases, that’s the only sensible option. But there are times in which treatment, such as drug or alcohol rehabilitation, could provide a better outcome for society and less of a burden for taxpayers.
It’s an idea that lawmakers and residents should carefully explore.
