Pubdate: Sun, 29 Jun 2003
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2003 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Judy Hughes

REFORM PRISON SYSTEM

To The Editor:

The Legislature voted down any progressive reform for our prison system. It 
voted against early releases, decreased sentencing for drug offenses and 
electronic monitoring. It costs $35,000 annually to lock up a person for 
drug possession. We could instead have electronic monitoring to allow a 
prisoner to remain in his home and report for work daily, train in our 
present vocational rehab programs for gainful employment and work in 
supervised community service.

Our present system is bankrupting the state and the cycle keeps repeating 
as the prisoner is returned to society unprepared for employment in an 
atmosphere where employers are reluctant to hire them, especially without 
job skills. The Legislature needs to come into the 21st century with new 
solutions to our prison problems by making changes in the laws. The 
punishment should fit the crime.

The status quo serves no one. Furloughing Department of Corrections 
employees is a poor solution and does not address the root problem.

Judy Hughes, City
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MAP posted-by: Tom