Proposition 52: Jail Construction

I want to call attention to the inconsistency in the arguments in favor of Proposition 52, which would authorize a $495-million bond issue for jail construction. This, incidentally, is the third bond issue for jails that has been submitted to the voters in five years. Unless major policy changes are made, we can expect more bond issues in the future.

The opening statement in the California Ballot Pamphlet in favor of the bond issue is, “Most Californians believe that those who commit serious crimes should go to jail.” No argument there. Later, however, the supporting statement says, “An overcrowded jail generally does not have space to permit the separation of people awaiting trial on minor charges from dangerous criminals.”

Just why is it necessary to keep “people waiting trial on minor charges” behind bars? Considering that charges against many of those people will be dropped--and that the charges were not serious in the first place--wouldn’t it make better sense to send them home to await trial instead of building more expensive jails?

We are not being asked to build more jails to house those who commit serious crimes or who are potentially dangerous. We are being asked to build more jails to house those who are only waiting for trial on minor charges.

MAYGENE GIARI

Pasadena