Prison Guards Union Abuses the System

Re “Union Knows All About Crime, but Nothing About Punishment,” Feb. 10: I commend Patt Morrison for her insightful exposure of the abuse of the system by the prison guards union. I am a pro-union public defender in Los Angeles County, but the conduct of this union is truly distasteful. Just as upsetting are the politicians who blindly support the union as long as they get their campaign checks on time.

As long as the union has this kind of power, more prisons will be built and more prisoners will be incarcerated. Instead, we should be looking for ways to save taxpayer money by releasing nonviolent offenders from prison. The large majority are persons with substance-abuse problems who need meaningful treatment. Treatment in the long run is cheaper and more beneficial to both the individual and society.

Morris Kushner

Los Angeles