GIVING FELONS A FUTURE

To the Editor:

Recently, the United States Sentencing Commission voted unanimously to
allow federal prison inmates to seek reductions in their crack cocaine
sentences ("Retroactively, Panel Reduces Drug Sentences," front page,
Dec. 12).

Roughly 3,800 inmates could be released within the next year. The most
important question is: Is our society prepared to help these young men
and women become productive members of society?

I am an inmate at the federal correctional facility Gilmer Camp in
Glenville, W.Va., currently serving a sentence for a crack cocaine
offense. I can speak only for myself, but I have been preparing myself
for many years for the day I am to be released.

I have completed outside college courses that I paid for
myself.

I have been clean from drugs for eight years, and have completed every
program provided by the institution that will better my chances of
success upon release.

I am a father, a son, a convicted felon, a man. I plan to add one more
title to that list: a success story.

The odds of returning to prison are very high, according to
statistics.

Speaking for myself again, I have a burning desire to prove them
wrong.

Benjamin Green

Glenville, W.Va.