Originally Posted by
shawmutt
Yep. Enforce the laws already on the books. I say free those incarcerated on non-violent drug charges. Legalize pot--extra revenue and just might chill us Americans the hell out. All the extra space that just opened up in the prisons can be used to put away those with firearm charges. Stop this nonsense:
"Eighty-two percent of all jail time imposed by Baltimore’s Criminal Courts for gun offenders charged with [misdemeanor gun] crimes this year was
suspended."
http://www.baltimorecity.gov/Residen...tatistics.aspx
The non violent drug users in the UK are primarily in prison because they failed to pay fines, do community service or failed drug testing and treatment orders. They are not there for the original charge. I don't know how it works out in the USA, but if it is the same then it is not a simple matter of releasing such criminals as they they go on to ignore even more the original punishment.
People who commit a crime whilst in possession of gun, commit a gun crime such as illegal possession or act as illegal dealers should be looking at long term prison sentences, in all cases.