To the Point
Will Broken State Budgets Mean Prison Reform?
Forget about being labeled as "soft on crime," states all over the country are cutting back on prisons. A 20-year crackdown has led to a $100 billion financial shortfall. Are there cheaper alternatives that still protect public safety? Will the crisis lead to reform? Also, Iran’s Supreme Leader endorses Ahmadinejad, and the remains of a American combat casualty have been identified--18 years later.
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenForget about being labeled as "soft on crime," states all over the country are cutting back on prisons. A 20-year crackdown has led to a $100 billion financial shortfall. Are there cheaper alternatives that still protect public safety? Will the crisis lead to reform? Also, Iran’s Supreme Leader endorses Ahmadinejad, and the remains of the first casualty of Operation Desert Storm have been identified after 18 years, but questions remain. How did he die? Why has it taken so long to find him?
Banner image: Inmates at the Mule Creek State Prison interact in a gymnasium that was modified to house prisoners in Ione, California, August 28, 2007. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
In this episode
4 storiesIran's Supreme Leader Endorses Ahmadinejad
Iran's Supreme Leader has formally approved a second presidential term for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but important officials boycotted the ceremony and it was broadcast only on state-run TV. Borzou Daragahi is reporting from Beirut, Lebanon for the Los Angeles Times .
Read the story8 minIran’s Supreme Leader Endorses Ahmadinejad
Iran's Supreme Leader has formally approved a second presidential term for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but important officials boycotted the ceremony and it was broadcast only on state-run TV. Borzou Daragahi is reporting from Beirut, Lebanon for the Los Angeles Times.
Read the story8 minWill Broken State Budgets Mean Prison Reform?
The United States has more people in prison than anyplace in the world. China's a distant second. After 20 years of tough-on-crime legislation, state prison budgets have increased by 303 percent, outgrowing everything else except Medicaid. Five states spend more on corrections than higher education.
Read the story36 minPilot's Remains Found in Iraq after 18 Years
Scott Speicher was the first casualty of Operation Desert Storm, his F/A-18 shot down on the first day of the Persian Gulf War. The Navy captain was the only American still missing until yesterday, when remains were positively identified in the province of Anbar, Iraq.
Read the story8 min
