Being "tough on crime" used to be a popular political slogan but nowadays it's in fashion to be "smart on crime" instead.
Politicians are also finding that it's cost-effective to implement alternative forms of punishment in the criminal justice system.
States across the country are doing away with mandatory minimum sentences (search), relaxing parole rules and diverting drug offenders to less costly treatment programs.
In states like California, officials say some of those measures are going to help better rehabilitate low-risk offenders while also saving hundreds of millions of dollars.
In theory, this is a good idea. In practice, it may become complicated. Looking at the recent Dru Sjodin case, it makes sense to free people from jail who are in on minor offenses in order to have room and resources for more serious offenders like rapists and sexual predators. But who gets to decide what offenders get released from prison? There's the rub.
We all have a group of criminals that we particularly despise. Most of us agree that rapists and murderers belong in prison but are somewhat divided when it comes to lesser crimes. Some people reserve a special kind of hate for drunk drivers while others choose to focus their dislike on drug addicts. What we need to do is figure out who is least likely to do the most damage when let out of jail.
Drunk drivers, for instance, would be a bad choice. Putting more drunks on the road would obviously raise the level of public danger. In my opinion, the same can be said for all sexual offenders.
Personally, I think we should let the pot heads out. If a person is in jail for the sole reason of selling marijuana, using marijuana or possessing marijuana then we should let 'em out. However, if the person is in jail for smoking pot while driving, or committing another crime to purchase pot then they shouldn't be eligible. Marijuana should also be legalized and taxed.
I know many of you probably have a special little pocket of hatred in your heart for weed, but c'mon. Its not that bad. Really, its no more intoxicating than alcohol. Many talk about weed's status as a "gateway drug" which can lead to harder substances like heroin. I would submit that its not so much the use of a particular drug that can start you on that downard spiral, but the practice of a particular type of lifestyle. Abusing alcohol can also lead you down that spiral.
These actions would lift a tremendous burden from our law enforcement agencies and allow them to concentrate on more serious criminals.