According to a short tV piece I heard the other day about prisons in California, there are 2.2 million people in prison in this country, more than in any other country in the world, and four times the number of 25 years ago. Something fundamental is wrong.

Something fundamental is wrong, you're right. And you'd also be correct in saying that it needs to be addressed. But just like treating a cancer, the symptoms themselves must be addressed; you can't just go after the cause. Doing so may save future lives, but it does nothing in the present.

Just so with crime. I want everything possible done to prevent future generations from becoming criminals: improved education system, better drug/alcohol treatment, improved/streamlined welfare/unemployment system, etc. And I'm willing to pay for it. But when someone breaks into my car, deals drugs on my street, or steals my bike, I want to know that he/she is going to be adequately punished. And I'm willing to pay for that, too.

Something fundamental is wrong.

Yup. Freakin idiots need to quit breaking the law.

But, Jon, you surely see, crime pays. Otherwise, why would it happen?

For a reality check, head to Jackson County which has led the nation in establishing "drug court". A wholistic approach to treatment of families by the court as an alternative to prison for qualified crimes. Imagine a judge with the courtroom packed with treatment providers and social service providers. The addict and his/her family talking to the judge about problems they deal with due to the addiction. A team then assigned by the judge to treat the entire family unit. Follow up progress hearings in court with added resources assigned if necessary. Each family memeber testifies as to the progress in solving problems identified. It isn't a 100% success just 70%. But how many future prisoners are saved from that eventuality? Where is the legislation supporting this alternative to warehousing more citizens? There is a better solution and it's being practiced in the hinterlands.

Actually, Multnomah County Circuit Court has had a drug court for years and the federal court in Oregon has had one running for more than two years. They don't operate quite the same way but are both quite effective.

For what it is worth, the Oregon federal drug court is the first in the nation for federal courts.

OK, so we have other examples of the success these alternatives provide, now, again why doesn't the legislature take a postitive step in reducing the stress on an already overburdened prison system?? No, lets create more criminals instead. Bidness as usual.

genop, you can't blame this legislature for Mannix's mania. You can blame the people of Oregon if they swallow this swill and blow another gigantic hole in the budget.

Anything that puts Criminals and deviants in jail for a good long time is ok with me. I would rather put taxes into Incarceration than All The Fell good Crap that goes on now. With the exception Of Measure Eleve and The Death Penalty The Jails would be empty.

"You can blame the people of Oregon if they swallow this swill and blow another gigantic hole in the budget."

Hmm?
That's exactly what I thought when the legislature approved $250 million in lottery backed bonds for Milwaukie Light Rail.
Why is it liberals never imagine the real savings that occur to regular people whent they are not being assualted, robbed or vandalized? It's all very measurable as the stunning success of M11 has demonstrated.
But heck, liberals refuse to even look at the M11 success evidence.