Pubdate: Sun, 03 Sep 2000
Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI)
Copyright: 2000 Madison Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wisconsinstatejournal.com
Author: Gary Storck

JUSTICE PRIORITIES ASKEW

I was shocked at your August 27 story about the young men getting
probation for their cruel "prank" that left an Amish man seriously
injured and facing a long recovery. (After a 'prank' goes awry,
'beautiful people' find their lives in the balance An Amish family's
slow comeback)

What kind of justice system do we have in America where people who
intentionally and violently harm a fellow human being get probation,
yet non-violent drug offenders have jammed our prisons to the rafters?

According to a recent study by the Justice Policy Institute, the
number of people serving time in American prisons and jails for
nonviolent drug crimes (458,131) is almost equal to the total number
of Americans who were behind bars in 1980 (474,368).

I guess the message here is if you want some "fun", don't use drugs,
go out and run someone over instead.

Gary Storck
Madison
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