Pubdate: Mon, 16 Sep 2002
Source: Mobile Register (AL)
Copyright: 2002 Mobile Register.
Contact:  http://www.al.com/mobileregister/today/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/269
Author: Dorothy D. Bettis

CHANGES NEEDED IN JUSTICE SYSTEM

I read with much interest the article in the Aug. 26 edition of the 
Register, "6 million-plus in prison or on probation, parole." The question 
every American should ask is, "Is our criminal justice system working, or 
not working?"

Too many Americans think that there is only one part to the criminal 
justice system, and that is to lock up those who violate the law and throw 
the key away. This kind of attitude has caused many of our legislators and 
those in criminal enforcement to adopt programs which provide a justice 
based primarily on punishment; and it is evident that this is not working.

If we are going to solve the problem, there must be two parts to the 
criminal justice system. One is punishment, and the other is prevention and 
rehabilitation. At the rate we are going, if we continue to put most of our 
money and effort on punishment, and ignore prevention and rehabilitation, 
we may soon have more adults in jail than we have out of jail. This will 
only benefit those in the jail construction business.

Our legislators need to make an immediate study of our criminal justice 
system and make needed changes where necessary. In my opinion, we need more 
and better programs to stop citizens from drinking and driving.

We need more and better programs to stop citizens from drug use. We need to 
provide more and better recreational activities for our youth to keep them 
off the street and out of trouble.

Some will say that I am a liberal who just wants bigger government and to 
spend taxpayers' money on social programs. Well, I believe we will be a 
better country if we spend money on social programs designed to make us 
better people, rather than spending more money on jails to house prisoners.

Dorothy D. Bettis, Mobile
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D