Early prisoner release possible
COLUMBIA — Senators resumed drafting a budget with $350 million in federal stimulus cash that Gov. Mark Sanford is refusing to request, even though they warned that spending cuts for education, health care and other programs will leave "blood all over the floor."
Senate Corrections Chairman Mike Fair, R-Greenville, is filing a bill this week that would release prisoners early as one cost savings. That bill would leave the decision to close three prisons and free up to 3,100 prisoners early in Sanford's hands.
The closures are intended to help the Corrections Department come up with $21 million in savings to address an extra 7.4 percent in budget cuts, and those are on top of a deficit rising to $50 million in the current budget year, Fair said.
Separately, Sanford allies were wrapping up work on a compromise budget with help from Sanford's staff, but weren't ready to provide details.
It's another twist in developing spending plans for the fiscal year that begins July 1 that turn on a few key points: Forcing or convincing Sanford to request stimulus money he insists should be used to reduce state debt; dealing with the consequences of not having that $350 million and how to spread $578 million in Medicaid-related cash to agencies that don't directly care for the sick, elderly or poor.
South Carolina agencies and programs stand to see $2.8 billion in federal stimulus cash flowing through budgets during the upcoming two fiscal years. Sanford controls decisions on requesting $350 million each year, or a total of $700 million.
The White House twice rejected Sanford's debt repayment proposals and said the money needs to be used in education and to help stave off job losses among teachers.
Sanford's role in developing an alternative spending plan isn't clear.
"They worked on it all weekend and the governor needs to review it," said Sen. Tom Davis, a Beaufort Republican and former Sanford chief of staff.
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fockerout (anonymous) says...
What will the state do when the 3100 get "re-arrested"??? Let them out again? Why even have jails? Brace yourselves people...this is just the start of the snowballl....
April 15, 2009 at 2:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
revolution (anonymous) says...
If they would execute those guilty of violent crimes (murder, rape, etc) there would be plenty of room for the nonviolent crimimals... and act as a deterrent against future violent crimes as most would be reluctant to commit such a crime if they knew the penalty would be enforced.
April 15, 2009 at 5:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mb300sl (anonymous) says...
Turn them loose...with the stipulation that if they get so much as a parking ticket they will be executed...we will be better off one way or the other!
April 15, 2009 at 7:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
This is typical government strategy when faced with cutbacks, namely to put the criminals back on the street, cut teachers, put the sick out, let the old die, etc., whatever hurts the folks the most, rather than cut the waste and work more efficiently.
April 15, 2009 at 7:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
QuanyaG (anonymous) says...
I believe it's a good idea to let the federal prisoners out early that would really be saving money right now it seems like there wasting money because the ones who is in federal prison they get more time then the ones whoes in regular jail for murder charges I believe thats not right and the system is really mess up the ones who have been in jail for drugs get all the ten to twenty years and the ones who got murder charges only gets five to ten years I feel that law should change cause if yall put people in jail for all those years for drug charges then thats why the prisons are pack yall really do need to think about that
April 15, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
badplf (anonymous) says...
This is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to incite fear and anxiety and put pressure on Sanford to accept that $700 million. Instead of macking tough decision to trim wasteful spending, the general aseembly threatens the jobs of teachers and cops as well as realeasing criminals on the street.
Of course, the majority of the public in SC (as well as the media) are so stupid that they buy it without question and are easily manipulated by these dirtbag politicians. Republicans and democrats are equally worthless and should all quit or be fired.
April 15, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
So you would like fast executions of hundreds of people by a legal system which doesn't have enough prosecutors or SLED investigators to be sure the accused is guilty due to budget cuts? In the days before public defenders, SC executed dozens of poor people in the electric chair, some of which we're absolutely certain were not guilty and others of whom there certainly wasn't proof beyond a reasonable doubt. South Carolinians lynched lots of people with no due process at all, often with the cooperation of local law enforcement. Most of these people were poor, black and unpopular.
That type of a system made a lot of angry white people happy and kept the African American population terrorized. Crime was lower. Of course you could end up dead for walking down the wrong street for perfectly innocent reasons if you were the wrong color.
What type of society, exactly, do you want? Does this have anything to do with the Christianity so many people spend time talking about.
April 15, 2009 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mb300sl (anonymous) says...
wjhamilton3: Sounds like a good system to me...less crime, fewer thugs.
April 15, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
wj - well said.
April 15, 2009 at 1:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
wjh, your description of past practice, while regrettably accurate, does never has and does not now reflect Christian teaching, thoughts, or hearts.
April 15, 2009 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
revolution (anonymous) says...
I have personally served on a jury where they caught the murder on tape and yet there had to be a trial because the defendant pled not guilty.....which is pretty f'in ridiculous.
no doubt there, immediate execution.
And IMO if they were convicted by a jury of their peers, then I do not see the reason to wait; same goes if they confess, are caught on tape, etc.
April 15, 2009 at 4:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
katrenavantassle (anonymous) says...
One has to look within one's self to find the answers.
The truth is only found there. You make the choice for yourself and keep your opinions quiet.
Quiet makes alot of noise at the right time.
Look into the eyes, and see the soul.
April 15, 2009 at 4:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
katrenavantassle (anonymous) says...
Then again, if its on YOU TUBE, it must be true right?
April 15, 2009 at 4:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
katrenavantassle (anonymous) says...
I hope this never happens to any of you, but just one day you may find yourself with a loved one facing this Death Penalty or LIfe in Prison dilemma and then you won't be so quick to play judge and jury.
God Forgive all of you filled with hate and prejudice.
Lord have mercy on your souls.
April 15, 2009 at 4:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlackReign (anonymous) says...
What the heck, they already let lunatics, like blue_eyes, wjhamilton3 and luna run loose!
April 15, 2009 at 6:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LawOfficer (anonymous) says...
I suppose that instead of letting the 3,100 inmates, that are non-violent and already about to be released out, you would rather that we let the fences deteriorate and the walls crumble down so that the murderers and rapist can be lurking in your back yard. The extra money that would be saved is needed to keep the higher custody institutions in operation. Also, closing the lower level prisons was discussed way before talk of a stimulus plan. If you think giving everyone the death sentence will solve all of these problems, you need to do your research and you would see that is no swift process.
April 15, 2009 at 7:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
back2u (anonymous) says...
Here's an cost-saving idea...
How about drafting & training some of those hardened criminals over to the war? They'd get an education, self-discipline and job training...not to mention all sorts of weapons to use on the "real bad guys". Heck, most are already used to sneaking around & shooting up other people anyway. Building on their life experiences & trainings against terrorists instead of other citizens could be a win-win situation for everyone (except the terrorists, of course). They could come back home when their sentence is complete. Then, hopefully, they would rather be a productive citizen in order to keep them out of the war zone for a 2nd. tour/sentence.
April 15, 2009 at 10:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
malthus (anonymous) says...
The problem here is not money it is the criminal justice system. The justice system for criminals! The same system where criminals are allowed to continue stalking their victims from jail through the mail because the content of their mail is not screened. How about illegal aliens having more rights and our government requiring better standards for people waiting to be deported than for American citizens awaiting trial. How a bout a system where deadbeat dads or moms spend six months, a year or more in jail burning up tax payer dollars. South Carolina needs to adopt a few good cost saving measures. First an automatic DRAFT for child support cases with 75% of the salary going to the children. Make inmates pay for meals and hygiene supplies and if they are found innocent they get a refund check. Mandatory death sentences for three strike offenders not life without parole. And stop babying drug dealers and letting them plead out to a year or less. That would be about three months once they get credit for time served and good behavior. These steps would free up money to create a rehabilitation system that could prepare those who resort to petty crimes or drug abuse to survive. Start looking at the justice system and ask yourself what justice there is for victims who watch those who stole their life away walk with just a slap on the wrist. Stop rapists from pleading out to assault charges. Give felony stalkers more than a year, again just a few months after all the credits are applied. Start making justice hurt those who victimize others.
April 15, 2009 at 11:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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