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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom