GET SMART ON PRISON REFORMS THE ISSUE GOVERNOR PATAKI MAY CUT BACK ON PRISONER EDUCATION PROGRAMS. OUR OPINION THAT WOULD BE LESS COST-EFFICIENT IN THE LONG RUN.(MAIN)

Gov. George Pataki's proposed crime package is generally headed in the right direction.

The most significant reform that he has put forward is that which would reserve prison space for serious and violent offenders. The practice in New York since the Rockefeller days has been to lock up virtually anyone convicted of a drug violation.

Now he proposes more funds for the Division of Parole as part of his hope for a more active (proactive, it is called) role for those overseers of released convicts. He also proposes more money for the victims of crime. Bothare good ideas.

We wonder, however, at the wisdom of reducing the amount of …