Montana Drug Offender Sentencing Data Analysis
November 8, 2007 Montana legislators are considering enacting sentencing reforms to allow diversion alternatives for offenders with chemical dependencies and/or mental illness. The report reviews sentencing data from 2003 through 2007 to reflect the current handling of such offenders. Montana law already allows judges to impose alternative sentences for drug offenses. During the period under review, the Montana Department of Corrections placed 70 people, about 15% of drug possession offenders, directly into prison. Most of those placed in prison were first-time offenders, but nearly a third had also committed other non-violent crimes. The review notes that based . . .
