We Need a Little Tolerance

The Sunday Herald-Leader has a story about over-crowding in Kentucky jails. The story details how the prison system in Kentucky is close to breaking down.

The real problem and the solution lie in the Kentucky General Assembly.

Politicians like to sound like they are tough on crime. The mantra of “No Tolerance” is taken to heart by a majority of Kentucky legislators.

From the Herald-Leader:

(Gov. Steve) Beshear and the legislature now face two choices, observers say: Build more prisons or reform the sentencing laws, particularly for drug crimes.

The Corrections Department has asked for $75 million to expand its prisons and add 1,500 to 2,000 beds, said Commissioner John Rees. The request almost certainly won't be granted, given the state's current fiscal crisis.

That leaves what Lawson, the UK professor, considers the wiser solution, which is revising the laws he wrote a generation ago to put fewer people behind bars for drugs or other non-violent crimes. Better to funnel even a fraction of that money into drug and alcohol treatment, he said.

"We've been fighting an intensive war on drugs for more than 30 years, and I swear to God, the drug problem seems about as bad today as it ever has," Lawson said.

A growing number of lawmakers are ready to consider sentencing-reform legislation, including Rep. Kathy Stein, D-Lexington, chairwoman of the House Judiciary Committee. Another Democrat, Rep. Leslie Combs of Pikeville, said politicians are scared of looking soft on crime. But she challenges her colleagues to offer better ideas "if they have any."

"We've got our jails crowded from people shoplifting $300, which is just enough to be a felony. Is there a reason these people can't be at home with an ankle bracelet?" Combs asked. "Jails are there to protect us from violent criminals, from bad people who are going to hurt us if they're free. We can't just put everyone in jail."

So the real question is whether our Legislators can do the math and have a little common sense when it comes to justice verses producing election sound bites. Their track record has not been good in either area.