Radio Smart Talk for Thursday, November 17:

Pennsylvania has some 51,000 state prison inmates. -- about three thousand more than the number of beds available.  Prison overcrowding has gotten to the point where many are calling for alternative sentences for non-violent offenders.  Those convicted of drug-possession offenses and driving-under-the influence charges are most often mentioned as candidates for sentences other than incarceration.

Even though Pennsylvania judges must consider sentencing guidelines, they do have flexibility when handing down a sentence.

Judges also have other factors to consider when sentencing - aggravating and mitigating circumstances, the seriousness of a crime and criminal history.

On Thursday's Radio Smart Talk, we'll discuss Pennsylvania's sentencing guidelines with Dauphin County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeannine Turgeon.

What questions do you have about sentencing of criminals?

See Pennsylvania's Basic Sentencing Matrix.

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