Cost of Prison

Wow, who knew that people would have to be starving before politicians would finally get it.  Instead of locking people up and throwing away the key, lets get help for the people that can be helped.  Are there some people that need to go prison and never ever get out?  Yes there.  Rapists. Killers.  Anyone who harms a child.  But a first time drug offender getting from 2 to 20 years depending on where they are and if they cross state lines seems like a waste of my tax dollars.  Instead of putting that person in prison, paying for them, lets get them some help.  Then they can go to work, pay taxes and help the economy instead of costing it.  What I find to be the sad part is it took governments going broke for anyone to figure this out.  Maybe it really is time for a change.