Pubdate: Tue, 24 Sep 2002
Source: Gazette, The (CO)
Copyright: 2002 The Gazette
Contact:  http://www.gazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/876
Author: Steve Haggart

NEW JAIL

We'll Gladly Pay To Lock Up Nonviolent Offenders

Is there a trend here? Two recent items in The Gazette suggested we can 
save big bucks by emptying our jails and prisons of nonviolent offenders 
("Few in jail for drugs violent, study says," Sept. 20; "There are cheaper 
ways to relieve overcrowded jail," Letters, Sept. 20). Great idea. Let's 
release the arsonists, bookies, burglars, car thieves, check-kiters, 
counterfeiters, drug dealers, drunken drivers, embezzlers, flashers, 
forgers, identity stealers, perjurers, pimps, prostitutes, shoplifters, 
smugglers, tax cheats, vandals and other miscreants who have been charged 
with or convicted of so-called nonviolent crimes.

Nonviolent crime isn't victimless crime. And because someone has broken the 
law without physically threatening or injuring their victim doesn't mean 
they haven't done them violence. It's no stretch to suggest that we're all 
victims of crime because crime -- and the fear of it -- coarsens and 
degrades our society, causes us to barricade, arm and insure ourselves 
against it, and requires us to support an expensive legal system, however 
imperfect it may be.

Unfortunately, that cost is one we must pay. It may be cheaper to give 
criminals touchy-feely drug rehabilitation or make them wear ankle monitors 
so they can stay home and watch television, but I doubt the threat of these 
measures will provide much deterrence. I feel a lot safer with them right 
where they are -- behind bars.

Steve Haggart

Colorado Springs
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