Great headline article on the rising crime rates in the county (“Residents fed up with crime, but solution unclear” in the Oct. 23 edition). Our elected officials should prioritize public safety, but they don’t. They should be addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, instead of excusing it. Prison overcrowding is a genuine problem, but we can’t let violent offenders roam our streets. Instead of locking up individuals who are guilty of nonviolent crime, like paying bribes to get their kid into college, or cheating on their taxes, have them perform community service and pay a fine.
Your article mentioned the need for rehabilitation efforts, and indeed that should be the goal of the correctional facilities, not merely punishment. For those who are addicted to drugs, treatment should be required. We spend a lot of money on our criminal justice system, and we need better results.
Thanks for your letter, Mr. Donnelly. Voters get the government they deserve and if they’re happy with criminal behavior and excusing it, they got what they voted for. Hopefully, we can begin change by voting YES on Proposition 36. Of course, even if there are increased penalties, we still need the “order” part of “law and order” to do their job and follow Proposition 36. We need to begin holding those folks accountable, too.
People in prison are paying a social debt to society. That debt is paid with confinement to discourage prisoners and others from committing future crimes. To the extent that time can be more pleasantly spent, it defeats the ability to reduce crime.
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Thanks for your letter, Mr. Donnelly. Voters get the government they deserve and if they’re happy with criminal behavior and excusing it, they got what they voted for. Hopefully, we can begin change by voting YES on Proposition 36. Of course, even if there are increased penalties, we still need the “order” part of “law and order” to do their job and follow Proposition 36. We need to begin holding those folks accountable, too.
People in prison are paying a social debt to society. That debt is paid with confinement to discourage prisoners and others from committing future crimes. To the extent that time can be more pleasantly spent, it defeats the ability to reduce crime.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.