Pubdate: Mon, 14 Nov 2011
Source: Holland Sentinel (MI)
Copyright: 2011 Bob SchultzBob Schultz
Contact: http://extra.hollandsentinel.com/submitletter.shtml
Website: http://www.hollandsentinel.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1145
Author: Bob Schultz

ZEAL TO PROSECUTE VICTIMLESS CRIMES FUELS JAIL, PRISON OVERCROWDING

Holland Township - I applaud Lindsay Lohan's efforts in demonstrating 
the absurdity of our legal system. Because of prison overcrowding and 
her ability to pay bail, she served less than five hours for her 
latest sentence of 30 days. Her escapades involving our legal system 
beg the question: Why is it that in spite of having more prisons than 
any other country, we still experience overcrowding?

Both nationally and locally we have seen cases where sentences have 
been reduced and plea bargains accepted in an effort to reduce the 
strain on an overburdened corrections system. Seems odd that we also 
are the country with the most criminals. The United States has an 
incarceration rate of 743 per 100,000 nationally (as of 2009), the 
highest in the world. In comparison, Russia has the second highest 
577 per 100,000. While Americans represent about 5 percent of the 
world's population, one-quarter of the world's inmates are incarcerated here.

Our overcrowding problem is a direct result of prosecuting 
"victimless" crimes. I would not say that drug use and prostitution 
do not create victims; certainly drug addiction and a host of 
problems associated with prostitution have a negative impact on 
society. However, by dealing with these issues as criminal offenses 
we make the problem worse. Many of the crimes associated with 
prostitution would not exist if the business was conducted openly in 
a regulated manner.

The legalization of drugs would actually decrease the number of 
addicts as the laws themselves are their cause. In 1925, Dr. Robert 
Schless was quoted in the American Mercury magazine regarding then 
newly instituted drug laws: "Addicts who are broke act as agents 
provocateurs for the peddlers, being rewarded by gifts of heroin or 
credit for supplies. The Harrison Act made the drug peddler, and the 
drug peddler makes drug addicts."

With regard to marijuana, the argument can be made that contrary to 
being harmful it is actually a beneficial plant. It is obvious that 
our laws regarding marijuana create by far more problems than use of 
the plant would cause if it was not considered a crime. However, it 
is difficult to overcome the status quo. The tobacco, pharmaceutical, 
prison, pornography and textile industries are willing to spend huge 
amounts on lobbying to keep out competition and to increase their 
business. But, the costs to society for maintaining these kinds of 
laws have become too high to ignore.

Bob Schultz

Holland Township
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