There has been many studies but mostly, they point to the simple fact that if you go soft on first time offenders, it only encourage them, not discourage them from committing more crime. Mr. Wohlforth's approach also fail to realized that there is a difference between a felony and misdemeanor crimes. You can have some flexibility when dealing with misdemeanor criminals but very little when dealing with felons. "Being tough on crime is a luxury Alaska can't afford anymore" according to Mr. Wohlforth but the alternative is being soft on crime is a luxury Alaska also can't afford. And prison beds, serves as a very functional purpose since without one.....troopers, treatments and courts are powerless. Criminals are human beings like the rest of us. What motivate them to commit a crime and how to motivate them not to do it any more requires both a heavy stick and big carrot. Mr. Wohlworth's gardening is heavy on the carrots, not much on the stick.