Pubdate: Sat, 14 Jun 2008
Source: News & Observer (Raleigh, NC)
Copyright: 2008 The News and Observer Publishing Company
Contact: http://www.newsobserver.com/484/story/433256.html
Website: http://www.news-observer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/304
Author: Leo Scully

2 WAYS TO END CROWDING

I would suggest two remedies for overcrowded prisons. The first is to
reduce the length of prison sentences while making prison a much
harsher penalty. Prison life for many inmates is not much worse than
life on the streets. As shown by the 67 percent recidivism rate,
prison is not a deterrent to crime. We need to change the risk/reward
relationship for criminal activity. We need to make the prison
experience much more unpleasant. The second remedy for overcrowded
prisons is to decriminalize the use of marijuana. We should not
incarcerate users of illegal drugs. We should either treat them or let
them be, whichever they choose. Prison overcrowding would soon be eliminated.

Leo Scully
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake