ISSUE: Alternative Sentencing

Leaders and citizens alike have begun to see the need for sentencing alternatives for people with substance abuse problems. Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has stated that "No matter how much we do, there's more of it seeming to pop back up. At some point, one of our real challenges is not just simply busting the bad guys, but keeping them from becoming bad guys."

Getting tough on crime has been a favorite drug war weapon. Arrests for increasingly smaller amounts of drugs and mandatory, longer prison sentences have been used in an effort to threaten drug users and to punish those who get caught. But the result has not been a drug free America. Instead, the result has been a nation where states spend more money building prisons than building colleges. Substance abuse problems continue to increase.

Slowly, many have come to realize, like Governor Huckabee, that there must be a better way. It is obvious that putting people in jail is not solving the problem. In fact, many argue that jail just makes it worse, especially for young people and women with dependent children. Young people become hardened and learn bad habits from fellow inmates. The children of incarcerated parents are 5 to 6 times more likely to go to prison themselves.

One way to address substance abuse and the problems it causes for individuals, their families, and society in general, is to help individuals gain more control over their lives. 

With alternative sentencing, persons charged with nonviolent drug crimes who might benefit from treatment are identified by prosecutors, assessed by counselors, and brought into a special court where they are offered the opportunity to enter into treatment. 

These special courts are called drug courts. The defendant agrees to enter into treatment, counseling, education, job training, and other activities that provide the tools for building a better life. If the defendant completes the program, his or her criminal charges are dropped and the individual is released to try life with better health, an improved outlook, and marketable job skills.

Another type of alternative sentencing being sought in Arkansas would consider the needs of children and families. Alternative sentencing proposed by Arkansas Voices would habilitate offenders and hold them responsible for their crimes, but would not require the separation of children from their parents. Supporters cite the tremendous cost and prevention benefits which result from this approach.

Other types of alternative sentencing might include more traditional approaches, such as work release, education, counseling, and other efforts which help someone move toward a more constructive lifestyle. 

Links:

Families Against Mandatory Minimums   www.famm.org

The November Coalition (works with prisoners and their families) www.november.org

Coalition for Federal Sentencing Reform www.sentencing.org