End the "war on drugs" (a very expensive, failed effort) and the prison population would probably fall to a range the current staff could contend with.
COLUMBIA --- The leader of South Carolina's prison system said if his agency was receiving enough money, it could have reacted faster to a disturbance last week at a state prison.
Years of inadequate funding have left prisons behind in both staffing and technology, Jon Ozmint told The Greenville News .
The lack of officers became an issue last week when several inmates refused to return to their cells at Lee Correctional Institution. The disturbance at a wing of the maximum-security prison overwhelmed the guards on duty, who fired tear gas into the unit and sealed it off.
Additional officers might not have been able to prevent the disturbance in which three inmates suffered minor injuries, but Mr. Ozmint said it likely would have only taken 15 to 20 minutes to get back inside the wing and restore order instead of the two hours spent trying to round up enough people to re-enter the area.
The agency lost 1,600 staffers several years ago in budget cuts. Many of those were security positions, leaving fewer officers in housing units and no officers in watchtowers to keep an eye on the outside fences.
The head of the Senate committee that oversees prisons said members are aware of the problems, but they struggle to get the agency any more money.
"Even though they are the third-largest agency in the state doesn't mean they are funded adequately from anybody's perspective," said Sen. Mike Fair, R-Greenville.
Comments
End the "war on drugs" (a very expensive, failed effort) and the prison population would probably fall to a range the current staff could contend with.
Very well stated patriciathomas....
I don't want drug runners in my neighborhood Pat, you can have them in your area.
You already have them in every neighborhood
Jon Ozmint is a classic whiner who does not accept any personal responsibility for any failure under his command and authority. South Carolina does not need officers like him.
If you end the drug war (i.e. legalize) then provide 3 trys at Government expense to get straight (meaning you still enforce the violations in Public meaning under influence crimes) you would see the excitement of it drop off as well as (just as we are seeing wth Alcohol use) the use. But if you want to stop the "disturbances in Prison" the easiest way is make it a "end of life" activity. You get a riot in a cell block or pod and go in a cap EVERY PRISONER there. Meaning whether they were involved or not they get the dirt nap. You would see a massive decrease in even the desire to riot.
End the war on drugs and put the money into education to prevent kids from ever taking up the addictions. To the lady who said she doesn't want drugs in her neighborhood, they are in all neighborhoods. The war on drugs is a dismal failure with prisons full and billions spent on ineffective law enforcement.
Yak, huh? Cap every prisoner whether they were involved or not?
I think instead of capping them, have teargas canisters that could flood the cellblock, or other non-lethal means of control would not be unreasonable. However, there would collateral loses from the prisoners due to health and conditions, but just capping them all seems a little harsh. I do agree that if the prisons were less recreational and more occupational then we would see less repeat offenders and less cost to the government. If they want to eat, then the prisoners should raise the food. They should be out cleaning streets, painting government buildings, cutting grass in roadways and parks. They should be doing something to earn an income that will pay down the expense of them being in prison. If they are displacing workers, those employees could be hired as off site guards to maintain a distance between the prison workers and the general public. Even out on the job they should be treated like prisoners. Feed them a good breakfast, let them have a small "lunchbox" meal, and then feed them a big prison farm raised evening meal and lights out by 10pm.
Although the war on drugs are as you a "dismal failure", it is worthwhile war. To legalize the use of drugs, promote its use and even benefit from others slow death, addiction, and destruction of lives and families is wrong. Again, this is a worthwhile war. We need to reconsider how we are fighting it but never should we give up.
patriciathomas' theory that legalized drugs would lessen the prison population is premature. Yes, many on drug charges would get out but with the increase of drug usage in the community would only increase crimes.
Ending the war on drugs would be the most counterproductive option available; the recent death of the noted cellist is an excellent example of what could be a routine event if the war on drugs was ended. However, there are numerous people in prison for financial crimes - there is where the possibility of some optional sentence would make the most sense if we're not going to continue to build more and more prisons which will require more and more staff. If people commit financial crimes, it should be their responsibility to see that those affected are repaid with interest on the amounts of money taken - there is no way that they can do that languishing in a jail cell at tax payers' expense for years on end. A judge in Chatham County has begun some alternative sentences for minor infractions but has come under fire because he's suggested that church attendance for a given period could lessen the sentence of some. In years past, joining the military was an option for some, yet now judges routinely sit on the bench and just dole out the same old same old, saddling us all with the expense of maintaing that person for years. Don't decriminalize financial event, change sentencing.
Prisons are expensive. While we don't all agree of how we shold pay taxes, I think we all agree that that the money we do pay should be used in the most efficent way possible. Last Survey I read on Georgia prison cost, per capita is $19,860 (S.C. $16,000). Nationally, per prisoner cost is almost $25,000. That cost doesnot truly capture the medical resources, transportation cost, or law enforcement resources used to capture the prisoner. 1 in 100 Georgia residents are prisoners. Which if you include people on public assitance you have 2.5 people per 100 are on tax payer dollars. This may not seem like alot, but these people 2.5 people are causing a financial strian. My figures don't include those who work and don't pay taxes. If you are ok with the way things are going then don't get upset with increases on those of us that pay taxes( 30 of 100 Georgians). If you want change then call your district's and state representatives. Warning: Politicans don't want to look soft on crime!!!
The state of Georgia should follow in North Carolina's footsteps and (in effect) tax drug use instead of criminalizing it. NC has a system where possession of drugs is cause for a fine which grows corresponding to the amount of a drug you possess. By the time you get to distribution levels of drugs, it is no longer profitable for people to sell. You also don't have jails and prisons full of people on small possessions charges. It seems like everyone here has forgotten that people don't sell drugs to wreak havoc, mess up neighborhoods, or kill people. They sell drugs to make money. If the can't make money (because they are taxed out or because drugs are legalized and real companies are selling them), they won't be on the street selling them. It is very simple.
hhh: As long as tobacco and alcohol are sold legally in the USA, the "Drug War" is hypocritical. Tobacco and alchohol's likelihood to " legalize the use of drugs, promote its use and even benefit from others slow death, addiction, and destruction of lives and families is " well documented elsewhere and I won't waste the space.
Although I am completly against drug use, I would certainly have to say that we need to re-think our handling of non-violent drug users. If select drugs were controlled and taxed to some extent, especially marijuana, it would certainly benefit the governemnts tax base and decrease the hundreds of thousands of law enforcement man hours as well as all of the money wasted to arrest and incarcerate persons. We spend nearly 30k per year to house prisoners and around 6k a year to educate students in our public schools. We should spend money on education, interdiction and rehabilitation vs. prisons as prisons should be reserved for those who hurt others or commit violent crimes. That being said, it is deplorable to have these correctional officers in jeopardy by lack of officers and the publics safety at risk by not having towers and other positions staffed.
Ronald Reagan received too much credit, more than what he actually deserved for divvying up the old Soviet Union. Equal credit should be given to the Russian vodka. The Russian soldiers were trading their tanks, small arms, and ammunition for vodka. If you want to demoralize your troops, tell them it's OK to take mild altering substances. People who take drugs are losers, plain and simple. If used properly, the human nervous system can provide a person the natural "high" he/she seeks. There is no need for external chemicals. Going further back in history, the Chinese people suffered culturally and economically for allowing the liberal use of opium in the late 19th century. Legalizing drugs is the ultimate no-brainer.
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