By Alex Lane -

And now, our continuing report on the Propositions you’ll be deciding on in the November ballot. Today we’ll discuss Proposition 5, or the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act, which would expand rehabilitation services for drug offenders in prison, on parole, and in the community. It is estimated that this expansion would require California to spend an extra $1 Billion. Supporters of the Proposition believe the long-term investment in rehabilitation is more beneficial than the $10 Billion California currently spends on prisons every year. “Our State prisons are badly overcrowded,” supporters say, and they add: “Prop 5 offers greater accountability and better treatment for nonviolent offenders.” Supporters believe that “treating violent and nonviolent offenders differently is the smart fix for overcrowded prisons.” Supporters include Dr. Judith Martin from the California Society of Addiciton Medicine and Daniel Macallier, Executive Director for the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice. Prop 5 proposes a three step process that would transfer responsibility for drug treatment amongst non-violent offenders from the prisons to drug counselors and the nonviolent offenders themselves. But according to local opponent and Amador County District Attorney Todd Reibe, “You can’t leave it to people who are in the throes of addiction to determine when their ready to get serious treatment.” Opponents say the Prop will “establish two new bureaucracies with virtually no accountability…that will cost hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars.” Opponents say “the real beneficiaries of Prop 5 are the violent criminals who can escape persecution for their violent acts by claiming they weren’t responsible- or, ‘the meth made me do it.’” On November 4th, you’ll have the opportunity to help decide.