Committee on criminal justice discuss ways to decrease crime
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Committee on criminal justice discuss ways to decrease crime

Date: December 14, 2011
By: Stacey Kafka
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Missouri lawmakers heard Wednesday that being softer on crime might help reduce the state's growing crime rate.
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Wrap: During the past ten years the crime rate in Missouri increased, but the amount of people in prison also increased. 

Senior Associate for the Pew Research Center on the States Robin Olsen says putting more people in prison might have a negative effect on the crime rate.

Actuality:  ROBIN1.WAV
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Description: "Between 1999 and 2009 Missouri's crime rate has not fallen as much as other states, while it's imprisonment rate increased. In that same time period, the 19 states that cut their prison rates also experienced a decline in the crime rate."

The committee is trying to come up with a plan to cut jail expenses and crime rates by adding treatment programs and changing  punishments for violating parole.  

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Stacey Kafka.

Intro: 
A national expert told Missouri lawmakers Wednesday that putting criminals in prison for longer sentences could increase the state's crime rate.
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Wrap: The Pew Center on the States worked alongside the Interim Committee on Criminal Justice to figure out how Missouri can improve the states criminal justice program.

Supreme Court Judge Ray Price says the problem in Missouri is that many offenders return to prison.

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Description: "Missouri's numbers. After two years 44.6% of the people return to jail. After three years, 52% return to jail and after five years 58.5% return to jail."

Many other states have been able to cut jail expenses by decreasing the amount of time offenders spend in jail for non-violent crimes.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Stacey Kafka.