Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jul 2009
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2009 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Author: Sandra Gadberry

LET JUDGES MAKE DECISIONS

As in most things, generalizations in justice do not take individual
facts into account, regarding Brad Killip's June 29 letter, "Three bad
choices = three strikes." When we sentence someone to life in prison
on their third strike, we are denying them evaluation and mitigation
for the rest of their life. Although the law was well intentioned as a
tool to rid us of the most violent criminals, it has in reality
triggered expensive and unjust life sentences for many who don't
deserve such severe punishment.

You may read John Letellier's story along with other "three-strikers"
at www.fix3strikes.org and www.justiceisnogame.org. Letellier was not
a murderer nor a rapist, he was a drug addict. Homeless in a strange
city without any resources, he chose jail over freezing to death. Not
such a bad choice at that moment. He has served 10 years for a second
degree robbery - punishment enough.

Tough sentencing and extensive incarceration have been the game while
penal welfare and rehabilitation are lost in the process. Keeping
nonviolent people behind bars for life is not only wasteful, it's criminal.

Put our judges back into power and let them make individual decisions
regarding each person and the circumstances surrounding each case.

Sandra Gadberry

Vancouver
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