PREDATORS OR CITIZENS?

In his April 23 Viewpoints letter, "Marshall's charmed life," Jack Bryant of
Beaumont calls Thom Marshall a "bleeding heart liberal" for urging more
humane conditions for inmates of Texas prisons.

Such thoughtless name-calling obscures Bryant's apparent ignorance of the
fact that most prisoners will one day be returned to society, either as
rehabilitated citizens or as confirmed enemies.

A prison warden years ago said, "Men are sent here as punishment, not for
punishment."

Decent -- not sadistic -- living conditions and an opportunity for
counseling, education and job training will make it more likely that these
people will return to society as productive members of the community, rather
than as predators to prey upon it.

Richard C. Allen, San Antonio