YES! There are indeed some very good alternatives that serve both fiscal responsibility, rule of law (current statutes) and justice. The State Senate just passed a bill to the House (SB23) that eventually may result in fewer child offenders doing "hard time" in adult maximum security facilities. But there is a great need for other measures that address the problem of the increased prison population. A new effort has been launched to encourage CO lawmakers to investigate the issue of why low-risk and aging inmates (over 60) are not being given parole or placement in alternative community-based corrections. To learn more, visit your local library and look up Colorado Revised Statutes 17-22.5 (404). These are the official parole guidelines that the State DOC should be using to deny or grant parole. The problem is, they are not using them. For further info. visit the Colorado parole class action website: www.coloradopca.org and download and read the Septermber 16, 2005, Request for Declarator Judgment and related documents.