Pubdate: Wed, 21 Feb 2001 Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO) Copyright: 2001 Denver Publishing Co. Contact: 400 W. Colfax, Denver, CO 80204 Feedback: http://cfapps.insidedenver.com/opinion/ Website: http://www.denver-rmn.com/ Author: Brad Pierson WE'RE CROWDING PRISONS WITH WRONG OFFENDERS This past year in politics, the importance of each and every vote has been brought to light again and again. This was true not only last Nov. 7, but on Feb. 14 as well. On that day, the state Senate Judiciary Committee killed Senate Bill 177, which would have removed mandatory minimum sentences for possession and distribution of certain controlled substances, including marijuana. The bill lost by just one vote. That one vote means that nonviolent offenders will continue to be incarcerated at great length at great cost to Colorado taxpayers. What is more, it means that individuals caught growing, using or selling marijuana will continue to take up the prison space that could be better used to hold violent criminals who really threaten society. Most Coloradans will never be convicted of a crime or face a mandatory sentence. This does not mean that they should not think about and oppose mandatory minimums for nonviolent offenses. It is their money that keeps overcrowded prisons operational and it is their families at risk from violent offenders let out on parole to make more room for those who must serve time for marijuana cultivation. I hope this one letter will change the one vote that may keep another SB 177 alive next year. Brad Pierson - --- MAP posted-by: Andrew