Pubdate: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA) Copyright: 2012 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Contact: http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/letters/sendletter.html Website: http://www.ajc.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28 REHABILITATION MAKES MORE SENSE THAN PRISON Regarding "State's chief justice: Reform sentencing" (Metro, Jan. 26), I have served as a grand juror. I am bound by secrecy -- but, in general, a number of cases we heard amounted to "nuisance crimes." Some rise to a felony because of the relatively low threshold set in such cases, or offenders have prior misdemeanor convictions. I agree with the chief justice. Many who are charged are addicted to drugs or are mentally ill. They repeat offenses to support addiction. "Warehousing" them is not the answer. We should encourage rehabilitation through medical treatment, family support, education and imposing community or public service. Consider reclassifying low-grade felony crimes and try them as misdemeanors at the lower courts -- without mandatory prison sentences. The Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform's proposals should be implemented with potential savings redirected toward producing a more educated Georgia. C.S. Thachenkary, Atlanta - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom