Bill would send some convicts to Missouri National Guard

(Compiler's note: Oh ya, we really need this sort of thing -- NOT! I still remember from days long gone bye the answer when I ask one of my "trouble makers" why he was in this man's volunteer outfit -- "Well the judge told me I could go to prison or I could go to the Marine Corps... I think I should have gone to prison.")

By Roseann Moring

JEFFERSON CITY — State Rep. T.D. El-Amin said he likes to find "common sense" solutions.

So El-Amin, D-St. Louis, has proposed one fix for two problems — crowded prisons and an overtaxed military.

He introduced a bill that would allow some nonviolent offenders to serve in the Missouri National Guard rather than go to prison.

"I just think there's a better usage of those individuals who have committed crimes of a nonviolent nature to get them back on the road of true rehabilitation," El-Amin said. ....