House-Arrest Sentence for Draft Law Violator
I wish to commend U.S. District Judge Terry J. Hatter for his house-arrest sentence of a young man who refused to register for the draft. By imposing a sentence other than a prison term we are saving a lot of money.
Too often in sending a criminal to prison we are punishing ourselves more than the offender. It costs about as much to keep a person in prison as it does to send one to Harvard. Furthermore, our prisons breed hardened criminals who can really hurt us. Of course if a person can be violent to society he should be incarcerated. But alternative forms of punishment that are no cost to us should be used whenever possible.
There can be modifications of house arrest. Perhaps the offender should be allowed to work during the day to earn a living for himself and family or perhaps to pay restitution.
I hope other judges will follow the example of Judge Hatter, and try to inflict punishment in a manner where we will not be punishing ourselves.
ALEX ANDRES
Woodland Hills
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