Corrections reform requires reforming ourselves

To the editor:

In reference to an article by Greg Johnson on “corrections reform” and to your related editorial (Frontiersman, July 30, 2013), a main problem with our correctional system lies fundamentally with our political system. Politicians don’t get votes and win re-election by promising to rehabilitate inmates more quickly and to slash their prison terms in half. They promise longer and harsher prison sentences like “three times and you’re out!”

Why? Society should rehabilitate and release inmates as quickly as possible, because this gives them much more incentive to work toward becoming contributing members of society. Furthermore, we should decriminalize all recreational drug use and treat drug dependency in medical facilities, because it is a disease. Of course, there is real criminal activity associated with addiction, but that activity would be eliminated if the disease of addiction were cured in the population. So, you can see how this avalanching effect would empty out our prisons. Indeed, only a backward and barbaric system of criminal justice would throw people with a disease in jail! But, it gets votes for our honorable representatives who simply cater to our ignorant multitudes.

Jesus said, “Let him, who is without sin, cast the first stone.” Let’s therefore educate ourselves and learn to forgive and rehabilitate those who were caught doing wrong, and welcome them with love and good jobs back into our society, quickly. Let’s put money and great effort into treating those afflicted with substance abuse instead of giving them criminal records, which permanently robs us of their full potential contributions. We can solve recidivism and mushrooming prisoner populations by elevating ourselves and advancing our society.

Would anyone vote for such ideas?

Daniel N. Russell

Willow