IS JAIL THE ANSWER?

I am writing in regard to overcrowding of jails and prisons. I will
narrow it down to Marion County.

Our jail is overcrowded to the point of people sleeping on the
floors, and expansions being made on a regular basis to accommodate
more inmates. Is jail the answer?

A lot of these people are in there for violation of probation, of
recurring mistakes. Why don't we, as taxpayers, help these people
with their behavior problems instead of throwing them in jail, where
they can learn more tricks and be a team player with their fellow inmates?

There is a drug and alcohol problem in this town. Many crimes are
committed as a result of this. Drugs and alcohol affect you like
this, making you do things that you normally would not do. The inmate
feels just as bad about himself or herself as we feel about them, but
they can't change what they have done. Now, it is too late and they
are looking at a long-term sentence. Is jail the answer?

Why don't we consider helping those who want help, showing them how
to help themselves, or try to find out what makes them do drugs in
the first place?

A treatment center would benefit them as well as society. Why don't
we help get them treatment instead of throwing them in a cage to get
angrier, or to feel more worthless and guilty?

These people need our help. Most of them don't want to do the things
that they do, but they don't know how to change, don't have the money
to get the help they need, or even know where to get the help they need.

The Phoenix House is an awesome behavioral program. We need more of
these. We need to help these people change their old ways, not throw
them behind bars for a few months or years to learn more behavior problems.

Kelly J. Muzzy, Ocala