A pair of bills that would shorten the length of some prison sentences cleared the House Monday and are headed to the governor's desk.

The bills would reduce sentences for some offenders in order to create more prison space and help reduce the prison overcrowding that is steadily growing.

Republicans scolded Democrats during debate for pushing changes that could trim months or years off some sentences.

"The last thing we want to do is say, 'We want to save some money so we’ll let some people out a little early,'" said Rep. Tim Moore, a Cleveland County Republican.

Democrats responded that the legislation was backed by the state's sheriffs, prosecutors and sentencing commission.

"This is a bill that is trying to balance, in a reasonable way, dealing with the overpopulation of prisons," said Rep. Rick Glazier, a Fayetteville Democrat.

Gov. Mike Easley blamed sentencing laws for problems with the state's probation system.

In an interview, Easley said the principal flaw in the probation system is that sentencing laws allow too many people to avoid prison.

"The current system puts people on probation who shouldn't be on probation," he said. "Until those people are put behind bars, this is going to continue."

The N&O reported that during some years correction officials had not asked for extra people and not made an issue of vacancies. In 2005, the probation division asked for 135 new officers, but the secretary of correction, in consultation with Easley's budget officials, killed that request.

Easley said that when the legislature is asked for funding, the money doesn't come through for months. 

Susan Katzenelson, executive director of the N.C. Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission, said she was not aware of any Easley administration initiative to toughen sentencing laws. (N&O)

A House bill would direct the state Sentencing Commision to study outlawing torture.

Rep. Paul Luebke said the study is necessary because of allegations that a Smithfield-based company has sent terrorism suspects overeseas to be interrogated and tortured.

The Durham Democrat said that Attorney General Roy Cooper said that current law does not cover the alleged activities by Aero Contractors at an airport in Kinston.

Rep. Leo Daughtry, a Smithfield Republican, said that the company does "the bidding of the United States government" and should not be prosecuted.

"The state of North Carolina has got no more business investigating the people in Johnston County than they do Fort Bragg," he said.

A decision on the bill was postponed, possibly until later today.