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RICHMOND
A panel examining alternative punishment approaches for nonviolent offenders is recommending the expansion of so-called drug courts and improved mental health services, among more than a dozen other proposals.
Gov. Tim Kaine received the recommendations Tuesday from the Alternatives for Non-Violent Offenders Task Force. In all, the panel provided more than one dozen recommendations to ensure public safety while punishing offenders for their actions.
They included the statewide use of electronic monitoring of offenders.
Kaine said in these grim economic times, it is especially important to look to alternatives to prison for lower-risk offenders.
The governor said the recommendations will now be evaluated. The panel's work will also continue.
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Accountability
Make these people pay for their housing. If someone commits a crime and is going to go away for a substantial amount of time then they should be required to reimburse the state/city for the cost of his or her incarceration. If they are unable to pay then sell off items to attempt to collect the money owed or garnish their wages. The solution to crime is not to let these criminals back out on the street. So if someone goes and commits 10 burglaries they are not a violent offender, so lets let them out so they can go burglarize more houses while on house arrest. The court/prison system is so messed up, I think we all can agree changes are needed.
Alternatives to sentencing
This same song has been sung since the '80's!!! House arrest has been available for YEARS but rarely utilized by the courts. How much more study can be involved w/ this alternative?? The solution is already there but not being used. Period. Start using it for non-violent offenders. There. I've saved the state tons of money on another study; I've saved myself and all Virginians tax money by not having to take c/o another prisoner. House arrest prisoners can still work and pay their bills and take c/o their families. What's the hold-up????
non-violent offenders
I agree with you, and I think we should take it a step further and make these people stand outside (regardless of the weather) wearing huge signs telling the public what idiots they are. A little humiliation goes a long way...
Good Idea
MY MY MY Gov Kaine.You are amazing me more every day. What is your next political goal? This is a very good idea. It must belong to someone else.
Anyway, this would save the space needed for true violent offenders. Wonderful news!
You could always use the non-violent offenders to do community services, much needed community services I might add. More wonderful news! Trash pickup, that SLOBS throw out the windows of their speeding vehicles- Animal shelters-homeless shelters-abuse shelters. The list could go on for days.
Good Idea!!