http://www.fremontneb.com/articles/2006/12/26/news/news1.txt

Freemont Tribune
12/26/06
How will we handle meth users?

OMAHA (AP) — The state’s new tough-on-meth law is fueling an expensive surge in Nebraska’s prison population, causing some lawmakers to push for more community corrections programs as an alternative to prison for some drug offenders.

In a pre-session survey of Nebraska’s 49 lawmakers by The Associated Press, 39 supported expanding such programs rather than building and expanding Nebraska’s prisons. New and expanded prisons would cost an estimated $384 million by 2025 if the prison population grows at the current rate.

No lawmakers supported building and expanding prisons, five were unsure or did not answer the question and five did not participate in the survey.

“These (community programs) should be tried first as these programs will be less expensive than prisons, and may serve the same rehabilitative end,” said Sen.-elect Tony Fulton of Lincoln.

“We should not, however, allow these programs to cause us to be complacent in recognizing the potential need for building prisons,” Fulton said. “It is clearly a threat to public safety when truly dangerous criminals walk free for lack of room.”

A study done for the Department of Correctional Services said the law that took effect last year, coupled with normal prison population growth, could require an additional 4,726 prison beds by 2025 — a 90 percent increase from present capacity.

Sen.-elect Tom Hansen of North Platte said a new prison would be filled within one or two years.

Gov. Dave Heineman decided against ordering the early release of some inmates to relieve prison crowding in June. The governor has the power to declare an emergency under state law if the system reaches 140 percent of capacity, as it did in May.

As of July, there were 4,135 inmates in the Nebraska prison system — 130 percent of design capacity.

The state system is designed to hold 3,175 inmates in 11 institutions.

The 2005 law cracked down on those who make, sell and use methamphetamine.

“Nebraska needs to provide better substance abuse and treatment in our prisons,” said Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk.

There are an estimated 20,000 people in Nebraska with a meth problem. Experts say meth is as harmful to users as heroin and cocaine.

Law enforcement officials have seen methamphetamine production skyrocket in recent years.

Where they stand

Nebraska’s 49 state senators were asked the following question about the state’s new tough-on-meth law and prison expansion:

A new tough-on-meth law could more than double the rate of growth of Nebraska’s prison population, requiring $385 million in new or expanded prison facilities by 2025. Should the state expand community corrections programs to keep more offenders out of prison to avoid this, or plan on building such a facility?

* More community-based programs: 39 (including Ray Janssen, 15th District; Chris Langenmeier, 23rd District; Mick Mines, 18th District; Dwite Pedersen, 39th District; Kent Rogert, 16th District).

* Build or expand prisons: 0.

* No response: 5

* Did not participate: 5 (including Carol Hudkins, 21st District).

Copyright © 2006 Fremont Tribune