Gov. Dannel P. Malloy should seek bipartisan support for his proposed "Second Chance" initiative and that means first addressing concerns raised by Republican legislators about a prison reform bill passed in 2011 - the Risk Reduction Earned Credit Program.

The concept that society is better off focusing the criminal-justice system on violent offenders is gaining support among both Democrats and Republicans. Democrats may see it more as a fairness issue, Republicans as a fiscal matter, but they arrive at the same conclusion: imprisoning nonviolent offenders whose conduct is often driven by substance abuse and mental health issues is poor public policy.

That is why Gov. Malloy's Second Chance Society idea could attract broad support, if he is willing to reach out to Republicans, rather than muscle legislation through with Democratic majorities in the House and Senate.

The governor's program would eliminate mandatory minimum prison sentences in drug possession cases, giving judges more latitude to use alternative treatment programs and in-house arrests to address such crimes. Also, in the case of non-violent behavior, reformed ex-convicts would have greater opportunity to get their prior convictions pardoned and their records cleared, vastly improving the chances for gaining meaningful employment.

Improving the odds that non-violent offenders can become productive members of their community and the workforce makes both good social and fiscal policy. Imprisoning people is expensive and, history shows, not very effective in correcting behavior.

Republicans, however, are wary. The risk reduction program approved in 2011 allows prisoners, including some convicted of violent crimes, to earn up to five days per month off their sentences by participating in treatment and educational programs. Republicans who seek to repeal or alter the policy say too many violent offenders are getting out early, presenting a public danger.

The Malloy administration contends the program is working effectively and is not leading to more violent offenders gaining early release.

If that is the case, Democrats should be willing to work with Republicans in broadening the number of violent crimes that exclude a prisoner from participating. The list now excludes those guilty of murder, aggravated sexual assault and home invasion.

Tightening restrictions on the risk reduction program in order to increase Republican support for the Second Chance initiative would be a sound policy move by Gov. Malloy and the Democrats.