So much for homeland security...what do you think?

I know this isn't about international terrorists, yet it does effect the security of our nation as a whole.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Lawmakers from California to Kentucky are trying to save money with a drastic and potentially dangerous budget-cutting...

proposal: releasing tens of thousands of convicts from prison, including drug addicts, thieves and even violent criminals.

Officials acknowledge that the idea carries risks, but they say they have no choice because of huge budget gaps brought on by the slumping economy.

"If we don't find a way to better manage the population at the state prison, we will be forced to spend money to expand the state's prison system — money we don't have," said Jeff Neal, a spokesman for Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri.

At least eight states are considering freeing inmates or sending some convicts to rehabilitation programs instead of prison, according to an Associated Press analysis of legislative proposals. If adopted, the early release programs could save an estimated $450 million in California and Kentucky alone.

What do you think? I would really love to hear your thoughts on this matter.

Or spending money on putting people in possession of drugs in jail.

Sorry, but it costs less FAR less to send them to rehab than it does to send them to prison. And isn't rehab what they need???

Unbelievable.

That's my first reaction.

We are in this huge slump due to the money we're pouring into this war overseas...trying to make us "safer"...yet now we are releasing all of these inmates due to budget cuts. Which will make us less unsafe ON OUR OWN SOIL.

Maybe they should stop spending money catching governors for sleeping with hookers and spend it on the prisons?

Unbelievable was my first reaction also.

LOL ty I never thought of that. True be that.

I completely agree with the possession charges. Rehab is where they should be. With follow up sessions after. To me that falls more under a health issue then criminal.

I'm glad the drug issue was brought up. The war on drugs is what has burdened the nation's penal system in so many ways. That, not the economic slump, is why these states have been brought to where they are now, releasing prisoners.