ON PRISON OVERCROWDING

I am writing in response to a Montgomery Advertiser editorial
reprinted in the July 4 Dothan Eagle concerning the overcrowding
conditions at state prisons.

My son is an inmate at an Alabama state prison. He was convicted for a
first offense of a non-violent crime. He was sentenced to six years
for possession of a controlled substance.

I could not agree more with the writer of that article. First-time,
non-violent offenders should not be sent to prison; prison should be
for those who have committed a violent act.

My son suffers from depression and unrelenting back pain for which he
had major back surgery in 1994. He is disabled and he is non-violent.
He didn't harm anyone except himself and he is not a threat to
society. Why don't they just let him go?

If they would release the non-violent offenders, it would alleviate a
huge part of the overcrowded conditions. This would make space for the
real criminals - child molesters, robbers, rapists and murderers. The
criminal justice system is broken and in definite need of fixing. The
punishment should fit the crime.

I worry about my son's safety, given his health issues. I pray every
day for God to protect and comfort him. I pray the legislature will
come up with some different laws to help solve problems with jails and
prisons.

Faye Owens

Enterprise