A SIMPLE QUESTION

Editor The treatment of Kemba Smith (Debra Saunders' column, Sunday,
December 14) is so appalling, such a miscarriage of justice that it sickens
me. It is no wonder that many black people feel that they do not have a
chance in our society.

Mandatory sentences, including laws like ``three strikes,'' are a cop out.
They conveniently create demons and relieve us of the responsibility of
treating each other as individuals.

A simple question: Is society better served by spending $25,000 a year to
incarcerate Kemba Smith, or to give her counseling and send her back to
college?

Berkeley Choate
Oakland