In My Opinion

WORK TO HEAD OFF SOCIETY'S ILLS

We are constantly hearing about the need to punish those who break laws and
do not fit into the general plan of what is best for our communities. Often
we hear politicians speak of the needs for boot camps, more prisons and
bigger jails to control crime.

I think it is time that we identify causes for such growth in prison
population.

Too many young men and women are warehoused and branded in our institutions
for life, and there is little spent for prevention of crime related to the
use of drugs, robbery, rape, dishonesty, vandalism, discrimination and
general disrespect for law and order.

Most often our institutions of punishment are reserved chiefly for our
population in poverty, those who suffer from social and mental illness and
those who lack respect for good values in life.

We need to work in our communities to solve minor problems before they
become major ones. Our schools, churches, civic groups and homes must
extend their services of fighting hunger, assisting with basic needs,
general education, general concern for others and providing places to give
citizens work.

We must work together to combat the ills of our communities before they
become epidemic.

D.C. Pratt
Riverdale

D. C. Pratt worked in the school system before retiring. He enjoys writing
poetry.