Pubdate: Wed, 13 Jul 2005
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (MN)
Copyright: 2005 Star Tribune
Contact:  http://www.startribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/266
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

DRUG OFFENDERS/AT LAST, A WISE SENTENCING SYSTEM

Minnesotans have every reason this week to roll their eyes at mention of 
the state Legislature. But once onlookers recover from their amazement at 
lawmakers' knack for fiddling while Minnesota fizzles, they might want to 
dwell for a moment on one of the few smart reforms the 2005 Legislature did 
manage to pass.

There are only a few -- most notably a new law assuring stronger state 
control of sex offenders, a plan to get treatment to new mothers suffering 
postpartum depression and expanded outreach programs for Minnesota's 
homeless. However lawmakers have faltered, they deserve at least polite 
applause for approving these sensible changes. And another reform now 
heading for the law books actually merits audible cheers: After years of 
backpedaling, the Legislature this session finally took a leap toward 
rational drug sentencing.

Few Minnesotans seem aware of this heartening news -- hardly surprising 
given the public outrage over all the 2005 Legislature didn't do. But the 
sentencing policy change signed this session by Gov. Tim Pawlenty could 
turn out to be monumentally important in shaping this state's future.

Why? Because the new law casts off Minnesota's old habit of locking up drug 
offenders for long prison stays in favor of a strategy that emphasizes 
thrift, community safety and enhanced public health. The new approach stems 
from research showing that simply incarcerating lawbreaking addicts does 
nothing to nudge them toward recovery before release. That outcome is best 
achieved by creating incentives to propel drug offenders through treatment 
- -- a strategy known to markedly reduce recidivism among offenders who will 
otherwise almost certainly repeat their mistakes once they hit the streets.

Sponsored by Republican Sens. Julianne Ortman of Chanhassen and Tom 
Neuville of Northfield, this law promises a shrewder approach to drug 
crimes, not a softer one. The law permits earlier release for incarcerated, 
nonviolent drug offenders who successfully complete six months of drug 
treatment while in prison. The conditions eligible offenders must fulfill 
are strict: Before release, they'll face government review to assure they 
pose no public-safety peril. After release, they'll be obliged to 
participate in aftercare and drug- testing programs and to wear electronic 
ankle bracelets that make eluding official oversight impossible.

This is precisely the sort of approach to drug offenses that criminologists 
have long urged. It's fully in keeping with the philosophy that a 
smattering of Minnesota counties -- including Hennepin and Ramsey -- have 
embraced in their groundbreaking drug courts. Indeed, the only thing wrong 
with this new law is that it wasn't embraced years ago. It's expected to 
save nearly $2 million a year that would otherwise be used to underwrite 
long prison stays for addicts in need of treatment.

Over the long haul, this new approach could dampen the prevalence of 
addiction, the crime rate, the size of the prison population and the price 
of public safety. If only all legislative "reforms" could claim as much.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom