Classes for Prisoners

Reading Sheryl Stolberg’s Column One article, “School’s Out for Nation’s Convicts” (Sept. 14), reminded me of my more than 10 years teaching college-level courses in local correctional facilities. I recall the many ways in which the inmate-students expressed their appreciation for being exposed to new knowledge and perspectives. I remember the changes in demeanor and orientation shown by men and women in the college programs as they progressed through their course work and participated in modest but highly meaningful graduation ceremonies.

Stolberg cited copious data demonstrating what all involved in the prison college programs knew full well, that higher education significantly reduced the likelihood of criminal behavior after release. With the current climate of opinion I have no doubt that effective, economical and socially beneficial programs will be eliminated in favor of approaches that further disable and debilitate convicts who will eventually return to our communities.

I am deeply saddened that all the good that has been accomplished by dedicated staff, faculty and willing students is not to be continued.

MYRON ORLEANS

Professor, Cal State Fullerton

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Is it really true, as Robert Presley contends (Commentary, Sept. 13), that “All of us would rather spend dollars on schools than prisons?” The grossly misnamed “correctional” system of California, together with its ever-proliferating support network, is already our biggest and most lucrative growth industry. Presley, along with the interest group he represents, would like to keep it that way.

The business of wholesale, mindless and brutal incarceration not only diverts resources from genuine crime prevention, it also aims to distract us from any sober analysis of its likely long-term value either to deter crime or to humanize society.

MIRIAM ELKINS

Los Angeles

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At the cost of $25,000 a prisoner, why not condemn the convicted to a college education while incarcerated to make use of their time? Since they probably are school dropouts, they’d probably consider this a real punishment. Twenty-five years to life. Maybe that would teach them.

LOU TAPPON

Ventura