Many inmates don’t belong in jail

Re “Judge rejects gov.’s inmate transfer tactic,” Feb. 21

So many of those who express concern about California prisons being overcrowded are driven by their own conflicts of interest. The governor wants more prisons built. The prison guards don’t want the prisoners sent elsewhere. The source of the problem is primarily our foolishness in passing the “three strikes” law. Most of those who voted for it had no idea that someone could be convicted of a third strike for a nonviolent crime. Unfortunately, numerous nonviolent convicts are being incarcerated even though they pose no threat to society.

The solution to the problem is to reduce the number of inmates in prison. All nonviolent drug offenders should be released. Any other nonviolent convict should also be considered for early release. Once this is done, you would be surprised at how much less crowded the prisons would be.

GREG BRISTOL

Santa Barbara

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Re “Crime or punishment,” Current, Feb. 18

Our state has the harshest sentences in the country and, despite exponential increases in prison construction, our inmate population is filled well over capacity and all but certain to be reduced by future court orders.

For unrelated reasons, the Supreme Court earlier this year slightly reduced sentences, the overwhelming majority of which are low-level drug offenses and petty crimes. Now a first-time drug addict is looking at a two-year prison sentence instead of three years under the old system. Failing to see this decision as an opportunity to improve the overcrowding situation, state Sen. Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles) is calling this an emergency that requires legislation to actually increase prison sentences. This is a little like throwing wood on a fire right before you try to put it out. Because our children are paying the bill, let’s hope the Legislature does nothing.

JOEL C. KOURY

Santa Monica

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I would wager that a good percentage of people in prison are a product of California’s education system. We should not build any more prisons. The money the state gains from not building new prisons and handling nonviolent crimes in a productive, rehabilitative manner would let our school systems have smaller classrooms and alternative education for young people who do not fit our current traditional education system. With smaller classrooms, students’ needs would be met and a teacher would be able to perform her/his job as the people of our state expect and deserve. The results would be fewer young people entering our prison system.

Nonviolent offenders should have positive, supervised living and do community work where it is sorely needed. Their income could pay for their keep as they rehabilitate through education, job training, counseling, etc.

SHEILA FINLEY

Santa Monica