Sentencing reform makes fiscal sense

I don't like the shock program concept at all, it sounds like an excuse for abuse, but here stands a good example of how alternative approaches to sentencing save money. Corrections officials in Albany say the shorter sentences associated with this highly regimented, six-month stint for non-violent offenders have saved the state of New York at least $1 billion dollars over 14 years. And that was just for 31,200 inmates.

We currently have over 2 million, mostly non-violent inmates in this country under incarceration. Approximately 25% of federal prisoners are in on long sentences for marijuana violations. I leave it to you to figure how many billions (that could be spent on schools and municipal services)we could save if those folks were not incarcerated. One thing is clear. Our cities are strapped for cash and our states are spending more for prisons than they are for education. It's time to repeal mandatory minimum sentencing before it bankrupts us.