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Tough-on-Crime Policies Overwhelm Shrinking State Budgets

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State prison budgets have quadrupled in the last 20 years, out-pacing every state government spending category except healthcare. Guest host Lawrence O'Donnell considers the price of being tough on crime and what changes states are making to run corrections systems that they can afford. Also, President Obama unveils his strategy for Afghanistan. On Reporter's Notebook, will Detroit become the new Greenwich Village?

Special thanks to Rebecca Mooney for production assistance.

 

Main Topic

Tough-on-Crime Policies Overwhelm Shrinking State Budgets ()

Politicians always want to be “tough on crime,” but with states facing budget crises, can they afford to be? As states are forced to shut down prisons, shorten sentences, and lock up fewer criminals, are they making the corrections system more efficient or are they making us less safe? How are “law and order” politicians adapting to the new budget realities of skyrocketing prison costs? Can a cheaper prison system be a better one?

Guests:
  • Adam Gelb: Director of the Public Safety Performance Project, Pew Center on the States
  • Roger Werholtz: Secretary, Kansas Department of Corrections
  • Chris Chiles: President-elect, National District Attorneys’ Association
  • Carl Wicklund: Executive Director, American Probation and Parole Association

Making News

President Obama Unveils His Strategy for Afghanistan ()

This morning President Barack Obama announced a new Afghanistan strategy that will require significantly higher levels of US funding and thousands more military and civilian personnel to try to control what he called an “increasingly perilous” situation. Karen DeYoung is senior diplomatic correspondent for the Washington Post.

Guests:

Reporter's Notebook

From Detroit to LA, the Recession Reshapes America ()

With Detroit home prices at record lows, is this the end of a great American city or its best chance for a revival? How will the crash reshape America? That is the title question of Richard Florida's piece in the Atlantic this month.

Guests:

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