Rhode Island considering reducing drug sentences

As detailed in this AP story, “Rhode Island legislators are considering a bill that would eliminate minimum sentences for some drug crimes and give judges more leeway to direct first-time offenders to treatment programs.”  Here are some more details:

Current state law requires judges to sentence offenders to at least 10 years in prison for possession or sale of one ounce or more of heroin or cocaine.  People convicted with more than a kilogram of the drugs receive a minimum of 20 years in prison.

A Senate bill would eliminate the mandatory minimums and give judges more discretion.  The maximum sentence would be 30 years, instead of the current life behind bars.

Sen. Harold Metts, D-Providence, said he introduced the bill in part to help first-time offenders who may benefit from drug treatment and rehabilitation programs.  “Some people learn from their mistakes,” said Metts, a Baptist deacon who volunteers at Rhode Island’s state prison.  “But if you’re going to be locked up for 20 years, you’re probably going to come out a worse person than when you went in.”

Members of Congress, are you listening?