Pubdate: Fri, 23 Aug 2002 Source: Salisbury Post (NC) Copyright: 2002 Post Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.salisburypost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/380 Author: Raymond C. Creason Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration) UNFAIR SENTENCING Some while back, I read a letter in the Post commenting on why the North Carolina Department of Corrections was the only state tax-supported agency that had to advertise job openings. The letter indicated bad management. I'm a prisoner of the war on drugs (non-violent), with a 65-year prison sentence. I've come to the conclusion from past sentences I've read in your paper that I could have murdered five people and possibly gotten less time by pleading guilty to second-degree murder and receiving about 12 years per count. In any event, I'm confined along with about 30,000 others in this tax-funded agency. Since most of us have -- along with our relatives and friends -- paid taxes, which are appropriated by the General Assembly to operate this department, how can they legally charge a $10 so-called administrative fee for a rule-infraction conviction and a medical fee of $3 for being sick? Since most prisoners are broke, without cash to pay, they place a lien on our records. Some prisoners have been without funds for years, and if a relative or friend sends $10 for a birthday present, the Department of Corrections takes it. Raymond C. Creason, Piedmont Correctional Center - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager