Supporters of the measure say one of the most harmful trends of the last couple of decades was to strip judges of their discretion in deciding who to lock up and who to refer to an alternative rehab or diversion program. The bill passed on Wednesday restores that discretion, and the ability to give young offenders the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and get a second chance. State Representative Tracy Heard of Columbus is a key sponsor of the sentencing reform bill.
"We're obligated to do that as adults," Heard says. "And there are programs and agencies that are fully equipped to do that, but because we are so mandated the juvenile system, judges didn't even have the opportunity to even make those referrals in most cases."
The sentencing bill also allows the diversion of resources from state institutions to community based facilities that many believe are more efficient and have better outcomes. And it raises the minimum age that a child can be bound over to an adult prison from ten to fourteen.
The measure had overwhelming bipartisan support, passing the house 95-2. It's now being considered in the Senate.