OVERHAUL OUR DRUG LAWS

Thank you for a thoughtful editorial on the problem of violent offenders
released on parole, only to do more violence to another victim.

I agree with your basic premise: Don't reform the parole system for violent
offenders, end it.

Unfortunately, because our prisons and jails are being overcrowded by
nonviolent drug offenders, this probably won't happen. According to the
Justice Policy Institute, the U.S. nonviolent prisoner population is larger
than the combined populations of Wyoming and Alaska.

Arkansas currently has overcrowded prisons and jails. Because we live under
a government which has criminalized drug abusers and responsible drug users
alike, we have increased the number of nonviolent drug offenders who are
sent to prison or jail. The result is overcrowding.

That means violent offenders are being released to relieve prison overcrowding.

We don't need more prisons, we need to overhaul our laws and quit sending
nonviolent drug offenders to prison or jail.

Those who need it should have treatment; those who don't should receive
fines, but not jail time. Simple possession of a controlled substance or
"paraphernalia" shouldn't be a good enough reason to send someone to prison
or jail, especially when it results in the early release of a convicted
rapist to ease prison overcrowding.

Georgia Lance
Fayetteville