Drug Treatment Instead Of Prison

Attached a link http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/editorials/fl-prison-bill-editorial-dl-20111030,0,3676874.story to an interesting editorial published in today's Sun Sentinel titled " State prisons need drug treatment alternative." The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board supports legislation — CS/HB 177 and SB 448 — which intends to establish a re-entry program for nonviolent offenders that offers intensive substance abuse treatment, adult education courses and vocational training as alternatives to long prison sentences. The idea is to reduce recidivism, which is essential if state officials want to get a handle on the costs of incarceration. The bills are sponsored by State Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, and State Rep. Ari Porth, D-Coral Springs. The two lawmakers are trying to pass needed, positive legislation to help the state of Florida reduce the costs of operating its prisons. In my opinion we should support this legislation and begin lobbying members of the Florida House and Senate. E-mail, twitter, mail or call your representative because " Unlike prison privatization and the more controversial ideas to cut state prison costs, the re-entry program is a simple solution that promises both savings and a much-needed reduction in the state's ongoing recidivism problem." Yours Bernd