Pubdate: Tue, 05 Aug 2003 Source: Daily Press (VA) Copyright: 2003 The Daily Press Contact: http://www.dailypress.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/585 Author: Ronald L. Stewart LOCK 'EM ALL UP Curt Anderson's July 28 article, "Prison costs hold states hostage," misses the principal point. He states the 2002 national prison population grew despite a declining crime rate. I would contend that an increasing prison population means more criminals in jail, which I would expect to result in a declining crime rate. I am a proponent of more prisons. What a wonderful world it would be if all criminals - murderers, rapists, drug sellers and users, for example - were in prison. Then, law-abiding citizens could walk the streets of our communities without fear of crime. Personally, I think tax dollars invested in more prisons is a good investment. Ronald L. Stewart Williamsburg - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens