By Stu Johnson
Frankfort, Ky. – Over the next decade, it's projected the new sentencing guideline will save Kentucky more than 400 million dollars in prison costs. Instead of hard time, the new guidelines put more emphasis on alternative sentences for non-violent drug offenders. For example, more of them could be sentenced to drug treatment or house arrest. Tom Jensen chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee.
"You see drug abuse, addiction and trafficking is the elephant in our room here. It is approximately 40 percent of those who enter our prison doors."
Jensen says more money will go into substance abuse treatment and mental health services. Plus, the state will beef up the offices that oversee prisoners who are on probation and parole.