Attorney General's 'Tough on Crime' initiative could lead to prison overcrowding - WAAY

Non-violent drug offenders are being arrested and put in prison, and it has become a back-and-forth issue between Attorney General Jeff Sessions and a bipartisan group known as the Justice Roundtable.

Attorney General Sessions said he wants to focus on drug related crimes saying, "Our nation needs to say clearly once again that using drugs will destroy your life."

The Justice Roundtable wants Sessions to rethink his idea because of issues like prison overcrowding.

Those in opposition to a 'Tough on Crime' mentality told WAAY 31 they feel Attorney General Sessions' policies put too much emphasis on minor crimes.

Attorney General Sessions has not laid out a comprehensive plan for drug prosecutions, but he has made his position on drugs clear.

"Illegal drugs are...bringing violence, addiction and misery," said Sessions.

Those opposed to the changes told WAAY 31 they believe this could cause an influx of inmates into already overcrowded prisons nationwide, and distract the courts from more violent crimes and offenders.

"He's tough on crime, but we'd rather see him be smart on crime, and allocate those resources to we're taking care of, again violent offenders, people who are actually dangerous for our communities," said Erica Jarrell, Rocket City Democrats.

Scott Witt lives in Huntsville and said he feels a greater focus on drugs by law enforcement may be a good thing.

"Why are people selling so many drugs here in the United States, well it's because people are buying them. We've made the drug culture OK," said Witt.

Attorney General Sessions has yet to release his formal plan for how drug cases will be prosecuted.

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