Huntsville Times
David Prather
October 24, 2007
 

Troy King's plan is impractical and flies in the face of data

Troy King wants to raise your taxes. Yes, that's what the conservative state attorney general has to be promoting - a whopper of a state tax increase. That's the only way he can possibly pay for his advocacy to end all prison paroles.

King, of course, doesn't see it this way. Or at least he doesn't say it this way.

No, he stood last week on the steps of the state parole board and said a prison sentence is a prison sentence and no way, no how should it be reduced.

King called it "truth in sentencing," and says it's needed to convince lawbreakers they are going to get what's coming to them. King's use of the phrase confuses what he wants with efforts by proponents like former Attorney General Bill Pryor to make sentences more in line with the seriousness of the crime and to help set standards, as King's all-or-nothing effort tangentially suggests, for time served and possibilities of parole.

What King's proposal would do, in practical terms, is undermine efforts now under way for the state to get a handle on prison overcrowding and the prevention of federal interference in Alabama's system of corrections.

Alabama is in its current mess because politicians demagogued being "tough on crime." We've thrown nonviolent offenders into cells for lengthy terms to the extent that, in 2003, Gov. Bob Riley was forced to set up a second paroles board to speed up the release of the less dangerous inmates so that those who posed a threat to society's safety would remain behind bars.

As it is, the Legislature has fallen woefully short of providing enough money for adequate facilities and corrections officials. If King's lock the door and throw away the key approach were followed, it would take tens of millions more in state dollars to provide additional facilities. That's one fact the politicians don't want to face - and neither do most of Alabama's citizens.

King's tough talk, of course, totally misses the point that prisons aren't just about punishing behavior but correcting it as well. And when you look at the figures, what he's suggesting doesn't play out well for public safety.

Never mind that inmates on parole have, in some way, proved themselves to have learned their lessons and remain under regular supervision once they leave prison. Never mind that the state makes efforts to help them reintegrate themselves into society as productive citizens.

Instead, focus on this: A 1999 study showed that 22 percent of those paroled were back behind bars within three years. But, it also showed that 37 percent of those who weren't released until the end of their sentences were imprisoned again within three years.

Make no mistake: Violent people who would threaten others if allowed to roam free should stay behind bars. No one argues that.

Political aspirations?

But to throw away a parole system that has proved effective in so many cases and to require the state to spend millions keeping prisoners who have shown they are good risks for parole makes no sense in terms of justice or fiscal prudence.

Lynda Flynt, executive director of the Alabama Sentencing Commission, characterized King's stance this way: "I understand Troy King's position from law and order and tough on crime and running for re-election."

Since King was recently re-elected, this sounds more like preparation for additional political aspirations.

It also sounds imprudent and in disregard of the strong evidence against it.

And if all that is true, it's also shameful.

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