What could you do with $162,462,456?
That is the amount of money the Oklahoma Policy Institute says the State would save if we incarcerated at the national average.
That number just reflects the state budget. It doesn’t include lost wages, pain and suffering of children and family members or the plethora of other costs society bears.
I believe that we are in a crisis – one with significant financial losses as well as a breakdown of family units and more. As with any crisis, we should apply some kind of assessment and analysis and seek a solution.
For myself, it begins with a few simple questions.
Do I want a punitive system built on retribution and vengeance or one focused on prevention and rehabilitation? Are they less likely to re-offend if they are imprisoned? Is the crime they committed worth the cost of the imprisonment?
When I take a handful of crimes that are contributing to our prisons overpopulation and ask myself those questions, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that we are wasting a significant amount of money.
Toby Keith might have sung that he would never smoke weed with Willie again, but most of know someone closer to home who isn’t going to stop.
We probably even know someone who has served time for drugs or can’t pay their fines. Should we spend our tax dollars to clothe, feed and house them? Should we keep them from providing for their families, further extending the burden to society?
I am not advocating for recreational marijuana but the notion that a few joints are worth a hefty fine and a year in jail is absurd. Truly, any time in jail for simple possession seems absurd and a waste of money.
That opinion will probably get me more than one letter or note asking me why I would want people to drive high. I don’t.
Before we leap to hyperbole and what-ifs, I am referring to the charge of possession. I imagine that few people know the difference between three beers and 2mg THC (the active ingredient in marijuana).
STATE QUESTIONS
In 2016, Oklahoma voters passed State Questions 780 and 781. Many of us believed voters were saying enough is enough.
We were number two in total incarcerations (per capita) and number one in incarcerating women. Now, thanks to reformers in Louisiana, we are number one. Is enough, enough?
Isn’t there more that Oklahoma can do than bars and locks to stem the tide on drug use?
The first session of the 57th Legislature made progress towards stemming this crisis but with your persistence, they can and should do better.
I urge to contact your state representative and senator and tell them enough is enough.