Nonviolent crime

A get-tough approach on nonviolent crime isn't working, says Missouri Chief Justice William Ray Price. Instead, it is costing taxpayers billions of dollars without decreasing such crimes.

Instead of spending more and more state dollars of prisons, prison payrolls and other prison-related costs, the state should look at alternative ways of dealing with nonviolent offenders, Price said in the annual State of the Judiciary message to the Missouri Legislature.

Price cited special courts for drug-related and drinking offenses that emphasize rehabilitation, which would cut down on the recidivism rate for such crimes.

Making a huge shift in how Missouri addresses these problems would require, among other things, new laws. State Rep. Scott Lipke of Jackson, chairman of the House Crime Prevention Committee, is among those legislators who agree that rehabilitation is a key to lowering the costly demands on the prison system.

Price's remarks indicate a significant shift in thinking. Five years ago he turned down an offer to expand the budget for special courts for drug offenses and drunken driving. Now he says that was a mistake.

Finding alternatives to prison for some nonviolent offenses seems to make good sense. The chief justice's ideas merit serious legislative consideration.