Every now and then I come across a story that reinforces the mission of Gov1. A new policy where government is truly acting intelligently, having a positive impact on people’s lives and at the same time acting in the best interest of the taxpayer.
What Happened?
The story begins back in 1973, when New York State Governor Nelson Rockefeller instituted the toughest drug possession laws at that time, forcing a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison for selling two ounces or possessing four ounces of narcotic substances (heroin, morphine, cocaine, marijuana or opium).
With the cost of jailing individuals becoming an enormous cost to taxpayers, often with no beneficial outcome for prisoners, the “Rockefeller” drug laws were reformed by the NY state legislature in 2009. These changes allowed judges to find alternative methods of punishment than jail time.
The Goal
In the May 24th New York Times, Jim Dwyer writes about the case of Teofilo Ramos, who was prosecuted for selling heroin. A lifelong drug user, Ramos was one of the first 1,400 serious drug offenders sentenced by new “drug diversion” courts. Sentences require the defendants be subjected to rigorous treatment programs and monitoring, using the threat of jail time as leverage.
According to this study, each of these sentences saves the state $5,144 over the old method of sentencing. The Center for Court Innovation and NPC Research also found that as fewer people in the new program returned to crime, an additional $8,140 in “victimization” costs was saved. In total, the return on investment in the program was $3.56 in savings for every dollar spent.
Both parties involved in the program agree the key to success is mandatory compliance. With the dual threat of jail time and strict adherence to treatment programs and monitoring, defendants must follow very restrictive guidelines in order to avoid prison.
Other Reforms
If this story interested you, Gov1 believes you should check out the Justice Policy Institute, a non-profit organization whose mission is to reduce the use of incarceration and the justice system and promote policies that improve the well-being of all people and communities. Their policy reports, briefs and research projects are well worth your time and interest.[/dw-post-more]