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12.13.07 Report: Cook Prisons Full of Non-Violent Offenders
December 13, 2007
Cook County's criminal justice system is overrun with non-violent offenders according to a new report by two watchdog groups. Malcolm Rich directs the Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice, which released the report with the Chicago Council of Lawyers Thursday.
RICH: We found in this report that nearly half the cases at 26th and California, our criminal courts building, where felonies are tried, consist of cases that involve non-violent drug cases.
Rich also says between 20 and 50 percent of people awaiting trial have some sort of mental health problem. The group suggests dealing with drug users and first time offenders through probation and rehab programs instead of jail.