Pubdate: Thu, 18 May 2006
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n621/a05.html
Author: David Lane

SENTENCED TO LOSE

Re: Studies on sentencing do not allow firm conclusions, May 15.

Letter-writer Tony Manera misses a key point in his criticism of 
columnist Dan Gardner's conclusion that long prison sentences do not 
improve society: Long prison terms for non-violent vices such as drug 
use or drug dealing create a society that jails more of its own 
citizens than any country in history, as is the case in the United States.

It also provides drug users with a first-hand educations from the 
hardened criminals they are locked up with, so that when they are 
released they have learned new ways to behave.

Many of our politicians and citizens have developed a very demented 
attitude that people who make mistakes cannot learn from their 
errors, if given a chance, and become good productive citizens in the long run.

David Lane,

Santa Cruz, California
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman