THREE-STRIKES LAW HELPS RID SOCIETY OF FOUL-BALL CRIMINALS

This is in response to the Jan. 29 Orange Grove column by attorney Doug
Kieso, in which he argues against putting criminals in prison and bemoans
the longer sentences now being imposed. Kieso argues it is not
cost-effective to do so and a poor use of tax money. But a close reading
of his column reveals that the real reason for his opposition is that he
feels sorry for criminals.

He suggests that "we should consider the pain and suffering of people in
prison as a cost to society." And he asks, "If we dehumanize and gave their
pain and suffering a zero value, what kind of society are we?"

With these views, it is not surprising that Kieso is identified as the
chairman of the Orange County Chapter of Families to Amend California's
Three-Strikes.

Let me give you my view from my perspective as a deputy district attorney
for Los Angeles County.

Criminals choose to commit crimes. They often commit many crimes before
they are caught and successfully prosecuted. If they receive a long prison
sentence, it is because they have committed a serious crime, or many crimes
or have many prior convictions for serious or violent crimes.

And, contrary to Kieso's view, society does not dehumanize criminals by
putting them in prison. They have dehumanized themselves by their own
repeated criminality.

Also, the three-strikes law does work. It works by keeping the serious
offender behind bars where he cannot commit new crimes against the public.

Prior to the three-strikes law and other recent statutes imposing greater
penalties for serious and violent crimes and gun use, we were recycling the
same criminals. They would commit a crime, be convicted, do two or three
years in prison and then be paroled and be back on the street committing
new crimes - where the cycle would repeat.

But now, with three strikes and other laws increasing penalties and
reducing good-time and work-time credits in prison, serious offenders are
spending significantly longer terms in prison.

The recycling of defendants has slowed considerably, which, in my view, is
the main reason crime rates are declining and the work load of the criminal
courts is diminishing.

Moreover, the knowledge of the imposition of more severe penalties has
discouraged at least some criminally inclined persons from committing
crimes.

They are not all mad dogs who are unconcerned about the possible penalties
for their crimes. Many will now think twice about committing an offense,
particularly if they have prior convictions.

I sympathize with the families of criminals. It must be tough to see a
loved one put away in prison for many years.

But face the facts: The fault lies with the criminal, not with the law.
And I have a greater sympathy for the victims of criminals, who did not
choose to become victims and often suffer much greater burdens than merely
serving time in prison.

Remember this. It is easy to avoid prison. Just don't commit a crime.