Pennsylvania keeps people in prison nearly twice as long as the national average, but that is about to change for people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses. The Keystone State last week became the latest to enact a treatment instead of incarceration law, with the signature of Gov. Edward Rendell (D).

Since 1993, the number of prison inmates in Pennsylvania has nearly doubled, and the state's corrections budget has nearly tripled. The state estimates it will save nearly $20 million a year and drastically reduce the number of people going into an exploding prison system.

The decision to pursue treatment as an alternative to prison effectively begins a rollback of criminal justice policies in Pennsylvania toughened by then-Gov. Tom Ridge, who is now U.S. Director of Homeland Security.

"Pennsylvania is joining other states around the country in right-sizing on drug policy reform issues," said Michael Blain, director of public policy for the Alliance. "Treatment instead of incarceration has proven to be the most effective way of increasing public safety and public health, and reducing the harms done by the drug war. Pennsylvanians are now in good company with California, Arizona, Maryland and other states."

Click here for the text of the bill.