SOUDER ENABLES PRISON PROBLEM

U.S. Sen. Jim Webb's Parade magazine article "Why we must fix our
prisons" (March 29) has an important local angle.

Webb laid out statistic after statistic showing the terrible
stupidity of America's incarceration policies, especially when it
comes to marijuana. One of the most powerful opponents of reforming
marijuana laws has been northeast Indiana's Congressman Mark Souder, R-3rd.

At least Souder's party is out of power now. I hope the Democrats
will have the courage to establish the commission sought by Sen.
Webb and give the American people sound alternatives to our
destructive incarceration policies. An important step in
that direction would be to stop filling prisons with pot smokers.

Evan Davis

Fort Wayne