Cash machines are much more likely to be involved in nonviolent crimes, mainly various forms of fraud.
Probation is available because the law considers incest with a child to be a nonviolent crime.
"To take a nonviolent crime and try to make the sentence the same as a murder conviction is outrageous," she said.
She also noted that both violent and nonviolent crime had declined during her term.
The funds will be limited to inmates accused of less serious, nonviolent crimes, city officials said.
The third strike for more than half of the 7,000 inmates sentenced under the 1994 law was a nonviolent crime.
Houston's total crime rate including violent and nonviolent crimes decreased by 11 percent.
Crime, especially pickpocketing and other nonviolent crimes, has been increasing.
Years ago, my father found an excellent solution for nonviolent crimes.
It also encouraged judges not to jail those who had committed, less serious, nonviolent crimes.
