PRISON NEEDLE EXCHANGE IS A GOOD IDEA

Face the facts. Drugs in prisons are not going to go away. ("Needle
nonsense," Oct. 29.)

Ignoring it by saying, "it's not legal so let's not facilitate the
addicted inmates" is basically a death sentence for the inmates and
perhaps even you. I'm sure there is a disease or two an infected
prisoner can spread to the public once he/she is out.

So, rather than sticking our heads in the sand about this, let's deal
with it properly. Until we can say there are no drugs in our prisons
(I'm not holding my breath on that one), trying to stop the spread of
disease with a needle exchange is a good idea, though it would be hard
to administer.

And as far as TV in prison goes, if it keeps their minds off other
things, like escape, or getting involved in gangs, it's a good thing.

Steve Bottrell

(We wouldn't want them to have to think about why they're in there.)