Dannel P. Malloy's proposal to create a "second-chance society," delivered at a speech at Yale University on Tuesday, deserves bipartisan support because it makes both fiscal and practical sense.

Too often, bad decisions made at a young age, leading to criminal arrest, can effectively become a life sentence. For while those convicted and imprisoned for most crimes will gain their release, their criminal records will haunt them, making it impossible to find work, or at least work that can pay the bills.

Frustrated in their efforts, even those who had intended to stay clean will turn back to a life of crime, producing nothing for society and strapping the state with a $45,000 annual bill, the average annual cost of incarcerating an inmate.

This reality disproportionately affects blacks and Hispanics in our urban centers, where opportunities are fewer and pressure to achieve status through gang activity greatest.

Gov. Malloy, a former prosecutor, called for treating nonviolent drug offenses as a health issue, rather than sending such individuals to prison where they are more likely to become hardened criminals than to be reformed. And he called for an end to mandatory sentences, which prohibit judges from considering extenuating circumstances in rendering punishment.

He wants to simplify the process of gaining administrative pardons from the state. This would allow more ex-criminals to have their records expunged if they can demonstrate sustained good behavior after release.

Gov. Malloy also called for job-training programs to help ex-offenders get work.

Making it easier for former criminals to become productive employees and contributors to society is sound economic and fiscal policy.

This nation incarcerates far too many people, well in excess of any other Western nation. Many are there for drug convictions or for crimes committed to support drug habits. Mental health issues often compound these behaviors. The war on drugs with its "lock them up" mentality is a failure, and it is expensive.

For those who, by their violent actions, demonstrate they are unworthy of remaining part of society, long-term imprisonment is the appropriate punishment.

But by giving more second chances, Connecticut can help rebuild lives and in the process communities.