Suggested
Reforms for Arizona
1. Declare a moratorium on new prison construction.
Once
a prison is built, the state must keep it full. This is particularly true
of privately operated prisons, whose contracts explicitly stipulate 90%
occupancy. New prison construction reduces our opportunities to have a meaningful
discussion on sentencing reform. We need fewer prisons and more treatment
and diversion programs.
2. Eliminate so-called truth in sentencing laws
or reduce the percentage of time inmates must serve.
During the tough-on-crime
'90's, many states passed truth in sentencing laws that eliminated the use
of parole. In Arizona, prisoners sentenced under these laws must serve 85%
of their sentence, regardless of their efforts toward rehabilitation or
their real risk to the public. Many other states are now revisiting these
laws and lowering the minimum percentage that prisoners must serve.
3. Amend
mandatory minimums for drug and other low-level offenses.
Many
drug offenders are sentenced under mandatory minimum sentences, which
remove discretion from judges by mandating the terms people must serve.
Most drug offenders are non-violent and would be better served in treatment
programs, which are cheaper and more effective.
4. Re-think harsh DUI sentences.
While
no one would argue against keeping drunken drivers off the road, prison
sentences without meaningful treatment do virtually nothing to address the
problem of DUI. Instead of spending $21,000 per person per year on incarceration,
these offenders would be better served in community-based alcohol treatment
to address the issues that led to their alcohol dependency.
5. Establish
alternative sentencing programs and expand use of diversion programs that
work.
There are hundreds of effective alternative sentencing models
in other states. Plus, there are programs already in place in some cities
in Arizona, such as Drug and DUI Courts, and programs that are on the
books but are underused, such as work release programs. These programs have
proven to be successful at reducing recidivism and are far less costly than
incarceration.
6. Reduce the number of probation revocations
due to technical violations.
About 20% of all admissions to the
Department of Corrections are people who committed technical violations
of the terms of their probation. These are not people who commit new crimes.
These are people who missed an appointment with their probation officer
or tested positive on a drug test. Probation departments can develop new
programs to hold violators accountable for their actions without having
to return them to prison. Another option is "shock
incarceration," where violators are returned to prison for a short
period (120 days), but then put back on probation in the community.
7. Improve
the treatment and educational services provided to prisoners while they
are incarcerated.
Our recidivism numbers would be significantly
lowered if prisoners were provided with the skills and services they need
to become productive citizens. Simple warehousing that ignores the root
causes of crime commits us to a never-ending cycle of incarceration and
wastes millions of tax dollars every year.
8. Provide well-funded re-entry
services to released inmates.
Most prisoners are sent out the prison
gates with no more than a check for $50 that they have no means of cashing.
Widespread discrimination against people with felony convictions makes it
very difficult for former prisoners to find stable housing and decent jobs.
People with drug convictions are barred from receiving public assistance
or Section 8 housing. As mentioned above, many of them did not have an opportunity
to effectively address their addictions, abuse histories, or lack of education
while incarcerated. Is it any surprise that so many of them return to prison?
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