Since 2003, those convicted of a non-violent crime in Washington state have had the potential to half their prison time by virtue of "good behavior" during incarceration. The law allowing this to occur was set to expire in 2010, but now it looks like it will be extended, thereby saving the state something like $10,000 per released inmate. The savings, doubly attractive in these lean budget-cutting years, are matched by the policy's overall positive impact on Washington's rates of recidivism, or how many ex-convicts end up right back in jail. Of course, some people (lawyers, natch) hate happiness and freedom and are opposing the extension of the law. more ›

Some graffiti and Citizen Cope for your Tuesday afternoon, courtesy of Matt O'Brien. more ›