States consider releasing prisoners early

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080403/ap_on_re_us/prisoners_early_release

Artificial punishments for drug offenses, like imprisonment and requiring drug felons to state their crimes on job applications, are usually more harmful to the community and the user than using the drug is. With the strength of prison guard unions and politicians unwilling to end the war on crime, drugs are unlikely to be decriminalized in the near future, costing states billions of dollars every year.

Luckily, some states are considering releasing some prisoners early to deal with budget deficits. Some state plans, however, apply even to violent offenders: Murderers, rapists, etc. Though many are falsely convicted, at least they were convicted for crimes that seriously harm other people.

Thus, releasing all drug users is a better solution since most (excluding PCP users, etc.) don't harm others by using drugs. They shouldn't be released at the same time to avoid a sudden, large influx of unemployed convicts (since they'll flood the job market, many won't find jobs and can't receive federal welfare because of drug convictions, so many will end up in prison again). Also, not requiring drug felons to state their convictions on job applications will make it easier for them to get hired when they're out of prison because they won't have to resort to stealing to live or, in some cases, pay for their drug habits.