IT'S ABOUT JUSTICE, NOT SOCIAL CLASS

I have been reading the ongoing series of letters to the editor regarding
the Great Barrington drug arrests and am struck by the hostility and anger.
Most of those who oppose an alternative sentence for the young people
accused of selling marijuana have reduced the argument to a class war.
Those individuals who would like District Attorney Capeless to pursue
charges that require mandatory sentencing appear to be angry with the
residents of Great Barrington. Angry because they live in a lovely town,
angry because there is an assumption that everyone in Great Barrington is
privileged, rich, and therefore deserves nothing more than the harshest of
punishment. Apparently working hard, doing well and speaking up on issues
that involve yourself, your friends or your family are values to be ridiculed.

Snide comments such as "sushi eating" residents, or references to "who you
are or how much money you have" don't present a coherent argument as to why
mandatory sentencing is a sensible solution in these cases. Not one letter
addresses the subject of why mandatory sentencing in this case is a
productive, smart or reasonable solution.

I know one of the families involved and for all of those who are so
convinced this is about "privileged" people, let me set the record
straight: The parents work six days a week, have no savings to speak of,
and have spent countless hours over the last six months raising awareness
regarding the application of the school zone penalty. They hope to make a
difference for these children and for all those who may find themselves in
this situation in years to come. For those serving mandatory sentences, I
am dismayed that your rage at having received such punishment carries over
into wishing the same fate befalls someone else. Wouldn't you have wanted
someone to fight on your behalf? Why are you so angry that people are
raising issues that address the very problem and worthlessness of why you
are serving jail time? I think all of us agree the Great Barrington young
people should be punished for breaking the law, however, the punishment
should fit the crime.

Incarcerating young people for first and non-violent offenses goes against
the recommendations of most experts in the fields of criminal justice,
psychology and drug treatment. I choose to believe Mr. Capeless is more
interested in innovative solutions that turn these young men and women into
productive and good citizens. Pursuing felony charges with mandatory
sentencing will do nothing but destroy their futures.

DEBORAH PIERCE Austerlitz, N.Y., April 27, 2005