His corrections budget proposal would hasten the release of nonviolent criminals who behave well in prison and prepare for life on the outside.

In Atlanta nonviolent criminals are released without bail within seven days of arrest, and the city has 25,000 outstanding warrants for fugitives.

Local officials say the punishment is the kind of creative sentencing that is needed to send strong messages to other nonviolent criminals.

Still, some advocates of "alternative sentencing" for nonviolent criminals say a moment was missed to think creatively, and literally, outside the box.

The punishment is generally given to nonviolent criminals who have little or no criminal record and are not considered likely to flee.

It was not a loosely knit band of nonviolent criminals who served the public's harmless appetite for gambling and casino flings.

The other 35 riders will be victims of nonviolent criminals such as pickpockets.

And they have imposed shocking penalties on low-level nonviolent criminals.

It would dramatically cut sentences of some nonviolent criminals in order to have more room to keep violent criminals in prison for longer terms.

Under the program, nonviolent criminals are allowed to pay for their own housing and serve their sentences outside of prison while under strict supervision.