Pubdate: Sat, 06 Apr 2002 Source: Arizona Daily Star (AZ) Copyright: 2002 Pulitzer Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.azstarnet.com/star/today/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/23 Author: Patty Machelor 'PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE DAY' PUSHES FOR REFORMS Targets Sentencing Laws And Non-violent Offenses A human rights advocacy group in Tucson has advice on how to help balance the state budget: Reform sentencing laws and empty prisons of non-violent offenders, the chronically ill and the elderly. The American Friends Service Committee is holding "Prisoners Are People Day" today outside the Himmel Park Branch Library, 1035 N. Treat Ave. The event, which starts at noon, includes a presentation on an alternative prison budget along with legal and spiritual speakers. There will also be testimony from a former prisoner and the family of a man imprisoned now. "Certainly, when you look at the financial impact, these are your taxes at work to warehouse these people. We need to look at what we are creating and what the impact is really going to be on us as a society,'' said Caroline Isaacs, program coordinator for the organization's local chapter. Terry Stewart, director of Arizona's Department of Corrections, said he couldn't comment on the organization's proposals without doing an in-depth study. State lawmakers on March 19 allotted Stewart an additional $4.5 million in its revised budget, rejecting the $9 million more he says he needs just to keep the prisons running properly. In early March, Stewart announced that all inmates working in the prison system will be paid a nickel less an hour. Inmates get an average of 38 cents an hour, and the cut will save an estimated $350,000. Stewart also said inmates will be served only two meals a day on Saturdays and Sundays to save $700,000 through June 30. Isaacs said prisoners' rights continue to be eroded as they are locked away for longer periods with no incentive to improve themselves. "All we're doing is creating a more angry and more disaffected and a more alienated group of people,'' she said. Isaacs said mandatory minimum sentencing laws are the main reason Arizona and the nation fill prisons with non-violent offenders. The report, which does not include estimates from trained statisticians, notes that many states have already done away with mandatory minimums to save money. The report focuses on the plight of non-violent women prisoners, drug- addicted prisoners, the elderly and the chronically ill. Legislators in some other states have reduced sentences for some drug and non-violent offenses while eliminating mandatory minimums for non- violent crimes, the report shows. And Virginia has passed legislation to allow early release for all inmates over the age of 65 who have served a minimum of five years. Sen. Elaine Richardson, D-Tucson, chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Roberta Voss, R-Glendale, who heads of the House Judiciary Committee, did not return calls for comment. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens