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.
Comments
Great comment
August 11, 2009 - 8:04am — James_ProtzmanThe lawn order crowd is indeed dumb about crime prevention, but given the state of North Carolina civic literacy, I don't hold much hope. Did you read this yet? Scary stuff.
Re: Sentencing changes pass
August 11, 2009 - 6:43am — jayhurstDon't keep getting suckered by the ridiculous fear-mongering. "Tough on crime" is another way of saying "dumb about crime prevention." The inmates getting relief from (outrageously long) sentences are not going to be dangerous rapists and murderers, it will generally be the non-violent property or drug criminal who got caught in the vengeful (read: anti-Christian) desire to imprison everyone possible, for as long as possible. The US Department of Justice has data that shows our draconian sentences don't stop rising crime in some years, though, while the Federal Bureau of Prisons has proven (empirically) that drug treatment programs reduce re-offense after release. Dumb-about-crime-prevention policies are overstuffing our prisons, which help bankrupt the State and make guards as well as inmates less safe (remember, if H1N1 wildfires through a stuffed prison, those guards can bring it home, and then home to you and your family). Let's stop knee-jerking, and actually get Smart About Crime Prevention with less spent on prisons, and more spent on drug treatment and mandatory education/job training (on pain of imprisonment).
Re: Sentencing changes pass
August 10, 2009 - 10:39pm — jesmyopinionJust one more nail in the coffin of Democrats... They just raised taxes for every citizen in NC, and now they are going soft on crime by letting criminals out of jail early - beautiful - this should sell real well for Republicans during election time next year!