Incarceration or Rehabilitation?

A new survey released today shows that most Mecklenburg County residents prefer rehabilitation and treatment as an option for those accused of crimes rather than automatic incarceration. The Charlotte Observer summarized the results in today's paper. While residents are concerned with violent crime, many support first time, non violent offenders receive treatment programs:

Although incarceration is still an option in some cases, most residents do not believe it should be used for nonviolent crimes and low risk offenders. 

Statistics show that rehabilitation through court ordered Drug Courts/ DWI Step Court is a viable option,  Support within the community often increases for such programs when citizens learn the costs of incarceration. According to the article, Mecklenburg County spends more than $80 million each year to run it's jails. The cost to house an inmate per day $110.23.

To read the entire survey, click here.

Criminal Law Updates Provided By The Law Office of Carilyn Ibsen PLLC (888)543-2427