Prison Defines Mississippi
The Sentencing Project has published Incarceration Trends in Mississippi 1988-2008, a study by Nicole Porter. The Sentencing Project is a national organization working for a fair and effective criminal justice system by promoting reforms in sentencing law and practice, and alternatives to incarceration. See their website.
Ms. Porter's report lists the following key findings:
Is a prison sentence the best option for a non-violent drug offender? Certainly not, when cheaper options achieve better results.
Ms. Porter's report lists the following key findings:
• Mississippi has the second highest rate of incarceration in the nation.The Clarion Ledger reports on The Sentencing Project paper here, quoting Ms. Porter as follows:
• Since 1988, there has been a tripling in the number of persons in prison in Mississippi.
• Nearly two-thirds (64%) of Mississippi prisoners are incarcerated for nonviolent property and drug offenses, compared to half of the prison population nationally.
• Mississippi incarcerates a much higher proportion of persons for drug offenses than other states, 36% of the prison population, compared to 20% nationally.
"The expenditure associated with incarcerating just drug and nonviolent property law violators cost over $244 million in fiscal 2008," said Nicole Porter, who authored the report.Clearly Ms. Porter's findings are discouraging, especially given that Mississippi consistently ranks near the bottom in education achievement and health care funding for citizens. I have previously written about alternativesto incarceration and their potential cost savings, and can only hope that the present economy causes our leaders to re-think budget priorities.
Porter's report says states are grappling with correctional costs versus funding for higher education and other vital services.The report encourages states to rely less on incarceration for lower-level drug and property offenders and to consider alternatives.
"Reforms at the state level can result in tangible results that maintain public safety measures, use corrections resources more effectively and rely less on expanded incarceration," according to Porter's report.
Mississippi Commissioner Chris Epps has been pushing to increase the number of nonviolent offenders on house arrest. Epps said it saves money to have an offender on house arrest rather than incarcerated.
Is a prison sentence the best option for a non-violent drug offender? Certainly not, when cheaper options achieve better results.
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