quote:

ORIGINAL: HaveRopeWillBind

A lot of people in this thread have proposed the idea that legalizing drugs would save the country a lot of money on the cost of incarceration. That really isn't the case however. We all saw recently how Paris Hilton was released as soon as she had done just over half her sentence. Martha Stuart was also released early.Virtually everyone who goes to jail or prison gets an early out. The reason is that there are more inmates than cells. If we stopped incarcerating drug offenders there would only be a very temporary dip in the prison population. Why? Because without the overcrowding all other offenders will wind up having to do their full sentence. As people stay longer the jails will fill up again for other offenses. In the end virtually no money will be saved in the prison system. The prisons will still be the same size and need the same staffing and the cost won't diminish. People will just be there longer. Proposed savings in the prison system is not really a compelling reason to legalize drugs.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Casie

Decent point yes. But you discount the fact that billions of dollars are spent on the "drug war" and people don't only  get out  early to make more space. It also includes rehabilitaion and making felons and benifical part of society agian.

quote:

ORIGINAL: HaveRopeWillBind
Quite true, at least until our political leaders find something else to declare war on and pump billions into. Likely it would be the "War on Pornography" next, maybe even the "War on BDSM." You know how political types hate when people enjoy themselves. In the end they'll find a way to spend the money because someone will make money in the process.

quote:

ORIGINAL: uwinceismile

lighthearted:
Is it possible that the problems these two individuals caused was because they were assholes and not because of the drugs they used?
thompson

id say that was more then a lil uncalled for..im sorry :) it  was a lot uncalled for,,mr. thompson, i took the liberty of perusing your profile .
please explain to me why a man of obvious intelligence, would call a woman he doesnt know family members assholes?
surely you can make your point here , and have done so well i think, with out stooping so low as a personal attack on people who arent even here?
perhaps a genuine apology?

quote:

ORIGINAL: uwinceismile

I read recently that something like 70% of the people in the slammer are there on drug related charges.  Think of the savings to the tax payers if we needed 70% less jail space, 70% fewer prison guards,70% fewer judges and prosecutors.  Think of how safe the streets might be if the cops had 70% more time to devote to real crime instead of busting some one doing dope.

i have no issue with people who are in jail due to smoking reefer being released in all honesty.... but drug related charges,,,i seriously doubt that 70% of folks in lock up are there for getting high.... im sure that many were high when they robbed , killed , raped ect,,,
If drugs are legal and cheap one does not need to rob to supply their habit.  No one has suggested releasing rapist or murderers.  If you doubt my figures perhaps you could supply information that might be contradictory.  If you are unable to do original research you might avail yourself of one of the NORML sites. 

and i certainly wouldnt want them released ..period!
so ur 70% figure is more then a lil misleading my friend :)
It is not misleading it is fact.  Fact always trumps opinion.

quote:

ORIGINAL: uwinceismile

i have a "side" question if u folks will allow?
i see the word addict...and addiction being used here often....
what do you think makes an addict an addict? and why will easier access make him/her better ?
thank u again

quote:

ORIGINAL: Stephann

To clarify,

When they say 'drug related' they don't mean they were there for a drug conviction.  It means that drugs factored in; robbing a store for drug money, or assault related to a drug deal.

Stephan

quote:

ORIGINAL: HaveRopeWillBind

A lot of people in this thread have proposed the idea that legalizing drugs would save the country a lot of money on the cost of incarceration. That really isn't the case however. We all saw recently how Paris Hilton was released as soon as she had done just over half her sentence. Martha Stuart was also released early.Virtually everyone who goes to jail or prison gets an early out. The reason is that there are more inmates than cells. If we stopped incarcerating drug offenders there would only be a very temporary dip in the prison population.
This just does not stand up to scrutiny.  If you empty 70% of the cells in the prisons and stop refilling them with drug offenders they will not be refilled.  Federal prison is the only prison system that does not give time off of a sentence for good behavior. 
Martha Stewart and Paris Hilton are hardly poster children for how the prison/jail system works.
If we could fill that 70% vacancy rate in the prisons with murderers, rapist,con men and crooked cops and politicians I should think that you would be in favor of that.  Why you seem so intent on following a policy that clearly does not work escapes me.  Do you not wish to lock up criminals.  Do you prefer to keep victim less crimes the primary focus of our legal system?


Why? Because without the overcrowding all other offenders will wind up having to do their full sentence. As people stay longer the jails will fill up again for other offenses.
They get out early because of the "time of for good behavior" concept.  Overcrowding is only an accelerant to this process.

In the end virtually no money will be saved in the prison system. The prisons will still be the same size and need the same staffing and the cost won't diminish. People will just be there longer. Proposed savings in the prison system is not really a compelling reason to legalize drugs.
How you came to the conclusion that saving money was the compelling reason for legalizing drugs is beyond me.  We should legalize drugs because it is a victim less crime and none of the governments business.  If someone breaks the law while under the influence of drugs that is not an excuse.  We prosecute drunk drivers for vehicular manslaughter.  Please do not put words in my mouth.  The savings to the taxpayer is but one more benefit to legalizing victim less crimes not a reason in and of itself.

quote:

ORIGINAL: ElectraGlide

Drugs are just bad period, you cant win either way, legal or not. While the drug addicts struggle being stoned and stupid, I guess the rest of us do not have to compete with them, and have a easier road of progress in the future. They just hold them selves back. The key is prevention, dont tangle with drugs and you will not get hooked. Prescription drugs is a whole other anchor around their neck. Many a person were prescribed  something for a minor injury and got flat out hooked.

quote:

ORIGINAL: ElectraGlide

People use the argument of legalization of drugs or prostitution so it can be taxed and help the government, like it would solve the goverment budget problem. Sorry but the government cant be helped when it comes to spending money, its spends all you give it, plus much more.

quote:

ORIGINAL: thompsonx

quote:

ORIGINAL: Stephann

To clarify,

When they say 'drug related' they don't mean they were there for a drug conviction.  It means that drugs factored in; robbing a store for drug money, or assault related to a drug deal.

Stephan

 
Stephann:
I am not unaware of what "drug related" means.  It means not only possession,cultivation,transportation,distribution of the substance but also any crime or infraction that could be tied to it.  It seems that the police get a stipend from the feds when they can find a way to tie anything to drugs.
If drugs are legal and cheap then no one will rob, burgle or kill to get them.
If those who abuse drugs die as a result then they cease to be a problem to society and they are out of the gene pool.
I am not unaware of the myriad reasons or excuses that people use drugs.  If someone chooses to hide from their problems or responsibilities by using drugs the monies not spent in arresting,processing and incarcerating them might be used to educate them in strategies to deal with their perceived problems.
thompson