Forest Workers

* “Experts Seek Costly Thinning of Forests” (Aug. 17) sparked an idea. Why not put all those incarcerated for nonviolent drug crimes to work at this job? I would venture a guess that a large percentage of those inmates have never been out of an urban environment, and never done physical, outdoor work. The temptation to return to the old habits, neighborhoods, etc. upon release would be less, because of exposure to a totally different lifestyle. (A sort of WPA, if you will.)

Of course I am dreaming--and know that the prison-industrial complex and the prison guard union do not want any tampering with their empire--but it’s a thought.

BETTS HARLEY

Costa Mesa