STATE CORRECTIONS PROGRAM IS FAILING US

Although often maligned from all sides, the Journal Sentinel showed
enlightened responsibility in its editorial "Shipping inmates no solution"
(Dec. 6).

Almost every day, we read of some new approach to tackling the rising
prison population. Whether it's building new maxiprisons, sending prisoners
to other states, faith-based approaches, ad infinitum. What is missing is a
coordinated use of the knowledge and expertise that resides in our state.

All of the aforementioned approaches, while holding value, are disjointed
and ultimately ineffective.

I have served on boards of directors of corrections facilities and programs
in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Wisconsin. I have met with knowledgeable
people in the field nationwide. One thing comes through clearly: We know
the causes of crime and we know what works to reduce it and lower
recidivism rates among prisoners. Why don't we use this information? The
most obvious answer relates to politicians who seek to benefit from
lock-'em-up predispositions of voters who are desperate and frustrated
about crime. And it is needlessly costing taxpayers billions of extra dollars.

Meanwhile, people are being victimized by crime that could have been
prevented. We seem to care more about vengeance than preventing crime and
protecting victims.

I call upon the governor and other leaders to put together a coordinating
committee of knowledgeable citizens without regard to political affiliation
or patronage. We must begin to bring some overall order and positive
solutions to a criminal justice and corrections program that is failing us
and overwhelming our resources.

Lester E. Schultz
Glendale

SOMEONE SHOULD BE ASKING QUESTIONS

I was appalled to read that the Journal Sentinel lamented the unemployment
rate in France and Germany (Dec. 5), while the state was declared No. 1 in
sending prisoners out of state to be housed. Now there's something to lament!

Why doesn't the Department of Corrections just change its name to the
Department of Confinement and be done with it?

Is it just me, or shouldn't someone be asking questions as to why our
prison population would swell another 8,000 to 25,000 -- or 47% -- by 2001?
Do we really have the right people behind bars, both at the state and
county level?

Is anyone looking at our sentencing practices, how we deal with people on
paper? Who is behind bars and is each really a threat to society?

Is stockpiling people behind bars the best we can do? Where's the
blue-ribbon panel on this? We will pay dearly for this simplemindedness.

Dan Boardman
Rhinelander

Checked-by: Richard Lake