Prison costs and reform

Re “The governor’s prison fix that isn’t,” Opinion, Nov. 11

Sharon Dolovich is wrong on several counts. Private prisons have increased accountability for adhering to contract procedures. Contracts can carry fines and penalties up to and including cancellation for failure to meet standards. It is interesting to note that 44% of privately managed prisons are accredited to the rigorous standards of the American Correctional Assn.; only 10% of public prisons have received that recognition.

If high pay and benefits were the secret to outstanding prisons, California would have the best in the world. But it’s competitive pay, strong management and a commitment to education, treatment and rehabilitation that ensure safe prison conditions. Real prison reform will come when the monopoly power of the California Correctional Peace Officers Assn. is broken.

PAUL DOUCETTE

Washington

The writer is executive director of the Assn. of Private Correctional and Treatment Organizations.

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Sadly, the political climate in California dictates that criminals be kept in prison as long as possible, probably because the public is afraid of them. TV news gives high priority to reporting crimes, and the high costs of overcrowded prisons are ignored. More prisons can be built by issuing bonds that delay the increase of taxes to pay back the billions in financial costs.

A far better solution would be to have an impartial commission oversee prison reform so that prisoners who have served their sentences and are no longer a threat to society are released, especially old and disabled prisoners who are housed at great expense to the taxpayers.

W. EARL HABERLIN

La Canada Flintridge