Pubdate: Sat, 04 May 2002 Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI) Copyright: 2002 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Contact: http://www.jsonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265 DRUG CRIMES Support Treatment For Non-Violent Offenders On rare occasions, something happens akin to the "stars aligning": Reform legislation comes along that represents enlightened public policy leading to improved health for at-risk communities and huge financial savings for the public pocketbook that is the morally right thing to do. Together with the leaders of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin, Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, Lakeland Baptist Association, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church and Wisconsin Council of Rabbis, I write to raise this important matter. We believe just such legislation is now before our state lawmakers. Senate Bill 496 is a proposal to sentence non-violent offenders convicted of drug-related crimes to treatment instead of prison. The devastation wreaked by drugs in our society, particularly in low-income communities, cannot be overestimated. This legislation would lead to a huge financial savings for taxpayers. It costs $21,000 per year to keep one person in prison; a year of treatment costs $5,500. A conservative estimate, based on Arizona's experience with treatment rather than prison, is that Wisconsin would save $10 million per year. The economic benefit is compounded when one considers that people in treatment can work, providing support for their families and paying taxes to the state. Passing this legislation is the moral and rational thing to do. Our religious traditions commit us to working for the dignity and restoration to health of all people. Warehousing people in prison - particularly people who have not shown violent behavior - cannot be justified morally or rationally. We urge support for this enlightened and profitable legislation. The Rev. Peter Rogness Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Milwaukee - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens