Two states turning to overdue reforms

Though death penalty developments get most of the headlines, non-capital sentencing has the broadest impact on criminal justice systems.  Thus, it is heartening to see new that both Alabama and California are getting serious about long needed reforms:

• From Alabama, this AP article details that “Alabama has been chosen for a national project that would lead to more community corrections programs, more rooms in prisons and a drop in recidivism rates, state officials announced Friday.”  This local editorial provides more background on this important development for Alabama sentencing and corrections.

• From California, this AP article details that “California’s corrections secretary said Friday that the state will create a commission to review sentencing guidelines for felons, a potential key step in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s efforts to relieve prison crowding.”