Re “Guilty of neglect,” editorial, Aug. 15Please...

Re “Guilty of neglect,” editorial, Aug. 15

Please make your “pay more now or pay more later” argument more explicit by exploring the relationship between cuts in education and soaring prison costs. Research has shown that high-school dropout rates are directly correlated to more criminal activity, increased involvement with the justice system and higher incarceration rates.

Even if we do not care about the success and well-being of our young people, surely we care about the enormous costs to taxpayers of locking up so many of our residents. At this point, our ability to remain competitive in the global economy is in jeopardy. The old bumper sticker “if you think education is expensive, try ignorance” is more salient than ever.

School vs. prison

Deborah Park

Goleta