A bill to repeal Rhode Island's mandatory drug sentences, passed by the legislature but vetoed by Gov. Don Carcieri, could come up for debate during a special legislative session, the Providence Journal reported Oct. 26.

The agenda for this week's special session of the General Assembly has not been finalized, but advocates are hoping the mandatory-minimums issue is included. Rep. Joseph Almeida, who sponsored the legislation, slammed Carcieri's veto. "Why doesn't he listen to the people," Almeida said. "Isn't this the house of the people?"

Supporters of the repeal include the group Direct Action for Rights and Equality and the Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. They note that Rhode Island's prison population has risen from about 1,500 in 1988 to 3,500 today.

Sen. Harold Metts, a minister and assistant public-school principal in Providence, said state funds would be better spent on schools and tax relief than imprisoning young drug offenders. "As a society, we have to give people a chance to redeem themselves," he said. "Instead of more punishment, we need more love."