HOW MANY MORE PRISONS WILL BE NEEDED IN MISSOURI?

Frustrated by out-of-control violence, Missourians in recent years have urged the state's justice system to crack down on criminals. Send them to prison. Throw away the key.

In response, Missouri's prison population has steadily grown. It is double just a decade ago. The state's prison population stands at more than 18,100. That is an amazing figure. It is higher than the total population in 61 of Missouri's 114 counties. And the prison population is increasing by five prisoners each day. In 1994, a record number of felony cases were filed in Missouri courts: 26,000.

Common sense must prevail in this crackdown on crime. New prisons will ease some of the overcrowding, but it is an expensive proposition. When will the trend reverse? How many prisons must be built?

Missouri must keep violent offenders behind bars. The state's new truth-in-sentencing law that went into effect Jan. 1 addresses this issue by requiring felons convicted for any of seven serious crimes to spend most of their sentences behind bars.

Despite the new law, which only applies to crimes committed after Jan. 1, overcrowding tends to push some inmates out of prison, whether they are violent or not. This produces such tragic cases as William Dale Abel. For this convicted murderer from Dexter, life imprisonment plus 20 years translated into an incredibly short 14 years in prison. He was paroled Jan. 24, 1994. Just six months later, he was behind bars again. This time, he stands accused of abducting a 24-year-old Fenton woman at knifepoint. The woman escaped.

Expanded work programs may be ways to put non-violent convicts to work outside of prisons. Don't limit prisoners to making license plates. They could help make Missouri state parks models of beauty, cleanliness and order. Roadsides in the state never need be cluttered by trash, if inmates were used for cleanup crews.

A report released this week by the Missouri Bar Association showed juvenile crime is becoming more frequent and more violent. In the past 10 years, the number of referrals to juvenile court due to violent crimes has tripled. Parents should take particular note of these numbers. Schools and government programs can help, but lessons about right and wrong begin at home.

Missouri must deal with a burgeoning prisoner population. Getting tough on crime isn't enough -- especially if that means violent prisoners find themselves back on the street after all-too-brief prison stays.