Pubdate: Fri, 22 Jul 2005 Source: Territory Times (Australia) Copyright: 2005 Territory Times Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3848 Author: Scott White EMPTYING OUR PRISONS Dear Editor THE prisons are full, and the NT Labor Government is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars jailing 10 people involved with NAP. If prison numbers are increasing rapidly, could it be for their position on drugs in our society? Sensible drug laws will stop prison overcrowding. The current policies are unable to stop drug misuse and the associated crime in our communities. Prohibition needs to be debated openly by our politicians. Its repeal would reduce the prison population and help facilitate positive change in our communities. People involved with NAP are being punished for how they think? NAPs "crimes" were non-violent direct-action protests. Just like the '70s. If people can be jailed for thought crimes, how many prisons need to be built? Scott White Stuart Park, Network Against Prohibition (NAP) - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom