Experts on national sentencing expect almost every state to adopt the new approach sooner or later — perhaps most this year because of the state fiscal crisis. The Pew Center is now working with policymakers in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky, Texas and Washington about adjusting sentencing policies. Nationally, states spend an estimated $50 billion each year in locking up criminals — four times the amount spent two decades ago and second only to Medicaid spending — according to the Pew Center. A study released by the group last year shows the amount states spent locking up inmates grew nearly 350 per cent from $11 billion in 1987 to $48 billion in 2008.
Tough on crime policies are failed experiments. They simply do not work. We need a more holistic approach, much like the one listed below:
"Tough On Crime" is a 'failed' policy. Oklahomans are beginning to wake up to the fact that is a huge price to pay for laws that actually endanger children at a horrendous cost to tax payers.
ReplyDeleteThis article could apply to just about all states.
Oklahoma GOP lawmakers paying price for tough-on-crime laws - CFC Guest Forum - Citizens for Legislative Change-Oklahoma http://t.co/krlk8kB