States may free inmates to save millions »

This Story is Archived and Commenting is Closed

Comments: 171

• 
  Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)

  not2needy

  April 3, 2008, 7:22 p.m.

  FTA:

  Officials acknowledge that the idea carries risks, but they say they have no choice because of huge budget gaps brought on by the slumping economy.

  Isn't that just what every state needs right now, felons, thieves, car jackers, crazed druggies and pedophiles turned loose, with what could result in a reduced police force, also caused by the economy slump!!!!????

  Just who would we have to thank for this good news?
• 
  Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)

  walden3

  April 3, 2008, 8:09 p.m.

  We have way too many people in jail. I think that I've read we have more people in jail then Russia and China. 1/3 of black men are involved in the penal system. It's wrong in a free country.

  Jeesh, now every small town needs own their high tech anti-terrorist huge RV and SWAT team. The militarization of our police force is sucking the breath out of our country.

  1. Legalize drugs. License their distribution. Tax them.

  2. Get rid of mandatory sentencing.

  3. Offer real occupational training and support for when inmates are released.

  4. Don't imprison the those convicted of less serious crimes with serious felons where they become hardened to learn additional criminal ways.

  5. Release the non-violent to make room for the violent.

  6. Those that will never be released store them in basic, cheap warehouses/barracks so we can divert funds and resources to those that can be rehabilitated.

  Unfortunately, due to politics, it's always about being tougher on crime.
• 
  Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)

  not2needy

  April 3, 2008, 8:36 p.m.

  Personally, i feel that it's a crime to spend tax payers money prosecuting people for marijuana.
• 
  Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)

  AntiNeoCon

  April 3, 2008, 8:58 p.m.

  Most often the sentences are too long for the committed crime. 5 years behind bars living with cons is a long time. The longer terms should be for violent crimes, rape, murder, armed robbery, etc.
• 
  Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)

  RedRiverJ

  April 3, 2008, 9:44 p.m.

  No surprise here, if our illustrious officials are willing to let illegal immigrants in by the millions, what's the harm of a few murders, child molesters and rapists added to a problem that is way out of hand and most certainly defies any logic. Boned heads.
• 
  Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)

  icono1

  April 3, 2008, 9:54 p.m.

  I wonder if the elected politicians in those states mentioned would also consider a personal reduction in pay as a way to save money? Or would they, the politicians, release the prisoners then give themselves a pay raise for such a progressive money saving move on their part?

  Then after the released criminals start doing crimes again the same 'save the tax payers money' politicians could jump on the anti-crime bandwagon 'again' and give themselves another pay raise for being tough on crime 'again'. I don't see this 'release the criminals to save money' as a money saving move. It's just a move that will enable career and ambitious politicians a way to secure their jobs and/or pay raises into the future by being anti crime then being anti waste then back to being anti crime,,, etc, etc, etc.

  Would our politicians treat us that way? Sure they would, for there is big money for them, not us, in this move.
• 

  OnionHeadComment has been removed: Retracted by user
• 
  Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)

  lvrofwolves

  April 3, 2008, 11:15 p.m.

  I would be very disapointed in the justice system if they released violent criminals and pedophiles. And what about illegal aliens?

  I'm for WORK camps for violent prisoners to pay back society for their crimes and pay their own room and board. Why should society be victimized twice!

  As far as drugs go, legalize some, tax them etc....that would solve alot of small petty possession drug cases.
• 
  Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)

  jordan11

  April 3, 2008, 11:59 p.m.

  I have no problem in freeing anyone in prison for smoking pot. It's insane to incarcerate them.

  http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3539
• 
  Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)

  DoseASpinoza

  April 4, 2008, 12:56 a.m.

  Where's Barney Frank when we need him?
• 
  Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)

  willottica

  April 4, 2008, 3 a.m.

  Hmm... seems the Iraq war isn't the only one running out of money, the War on Drugs is also costing too much. Time to admit defeat on that one as well? Or continue trying to fight it in the same tired way which obviously seems to be failing.

  Question: when you fight a war on drugs, what are your weapons? What is the goal? How do you declare "Mission Accomplished"?

  Advice to the President(s) of the United States: stop declaring wars that you can't possibly win (because there is no foreseeable victory condition -- How do you know you've won the War on Terror? How do you know you've won the War on Drugs?).

  (Don't get me wrong, it's good to fight against Terrorism, but I don't think you can do that through war. I think you fight terrorism by helping less fortunate societies, not exploiting them, not occupying their lands and setting the scene for them to feel even more embittered.)
• 
  Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)

  Lurch

  April 4, 2008, 3:02 a.m.

  At midyear 1998, an estimated 283,800 mentally ill offenders were incarcerated in the nation's prisons and jails.

  http://www.aca.org/government/healthcare.asp#me...

  How many would have never committed a crime and would be productive members of society if given decent treatment before committing a crime? For most, prison is the only place where they have ever received or will ever receive treatment. What is wrong with this picture?
• 

  HMMaceComment has been removed: Spammer, Hard Banned
• 
  Avg rating: (+0/-0 0)

  Georgia50

  April 4, 2008, 7:57 a.m.

  How dare they release these dangerous losers! I say keep them on Capitol Hill where they belong!
• 

  rdy2rckComment has been removed: Hard Banned

The first 106 comments are shown. Show all 171 comments »