Overcrowding, just open the door to prisons

A few weeks ago lawmakers implemented prison reform. Overcrowded prisons and no money to build more (or even to pay for the population now incarcerated, it is after all a recession economy), means early release for many.

Now Arkansas prison officials have begun the exodus prepping about 750 inmates for early release. The suggestions to release certain inmates comes on the heels of a report commissioned last year, and after feedback, lawmakers passed an act which will allow many non-violent and non-sexual offenders to receive early parole.

Currently the Arkansas Department of Corrections is functioning at 106 percent male capacity and 104 percent female capacity.

So let's get this straight, with more money we'd keep people in prison, but because of economics folks can go free? I don't mind inmates getting released early especially for non-violent offences, but if it's just a process of economics then why weren't they already prepped for early release?

Ticketmaster in Court (Again)

Check this out: http://www.ticketnews.com/news/Arkansas-Supreme-Court-to-weigh-in-on-Ticketmaster-fees081126937

Root for the little guy. Ticketmaster has a virtual monopoly on ticket sales and they've abused that privilege for too long (or they can't run a business properly). The phantom surcharges on each ticket amount to 10-20% of the actual ticket. This isn't the only place where Ticketmaster is facing the music, they're being sued all over the US and abroad. They've even merged with other box office companies to further extend their stranglehold on the industry.

Statewide Drug Database Launches

A new law takes effect that creates a statewide pharmacy database for prescription drugs. This will prevent abuse of the system by addicts who have one prescription filled multiple times. Let's hope that we see a correlating decrease in drug abuse/visits to the ER for OD.