Crime Prevention

Re “Youth, Crime and Public Money,” editorial, June 25:

While prevention of crime is monetarily cheaper compared to prisons, there is a detrimental social effect which outweighs the monetary cost. These (mostly minority) persons saved from a life of crime then will be in competition for jobs with the sons and daughters of the ruling class.

Putting people in prison is simply a jobs-protection program. Case in point: the severe difference in penalties for possession of rock cocaine (mostly black users) versus powder cocaine (mostly white users).

JOHN L. PARK

Chino Hills