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
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom