Senate approves prison-sentencing changes

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

The Ohio Senate has approved a bill to save taxpayer dollars by reducing the prison inmate population through policies that put fewer nonviolent offenders behind bars.

The GOP-led Senate voted 30-3 Wednesday in favor of the measure that allows inmates to serve time in community-based centers instead of more expensive state prisons. It also lets inmates earn reduced prison sentences by completing rehabilitation programs.

The House would have to approve Senate changes to the bill.

Legislative analyses predict the measure would ease prison overcrowding and save taxpayers up to $78 million a year. It’s expected to reduce the need for several thousand prison beds by 2015.

Ohio prisons built for about 38,000 inmates now hold about 51,000.

The bill also eliminates differences in punishments for convictions involving crack and powdered cocaine.