Pubdate: Mon, 07 Apr 2003
Source: News & Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2003 The News and Observer Publishing Company
Contact:  http://www.news-observer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/304
Author: Cathy Eagles
Note: The writer is one of the 10 chief probation/parole officers in Wake 
County.

ALTERNATIVES TO CELLS

Regarding your March 31 editorial "Costly 'slammers'": I second that 
remark! We are in desperate need of alternatives to incarceration in North 
Carolina.

As long as the legislature continues to cut the Department of Correction 
budget every year, funding for such programs will obviously continue to be 
cut as well.

The public does need to be protected from violent criminals and therefore 
we continue to need prisons, but there are fewer and fewer alternatives for 
those criminals who are nonviolent or who just need an extra push to get on 
the right track. North Carolina is in desperate need of programs for the 
young and for females. People should tell their legislators that the state 
needs more alternative punishment programs!

Cathy Eagles

Raleigh

The writer is one of the 10 chief probation/parole officers in Wake County.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens