A survey has found that 80 percent of those in prison are guilty of low-level crimes, mostly drug law violations. Critics of the penal system call this "warehousing" and say it is responsible for enormous costs to taxpayers and that it funnels money better spent on education and other more vital necessities. The total cost of imprisoning these men and women for minor crimes approaches $10 billion a year, they say.

Some cities and states have adopted innovative programs to cut down on sending low-level offenders to prison. Make a search to gather information and blend it with what you find on your state's practices.