PRISON REFORM

Re "Major parole moves on the table," Dec. 27: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's
exploration of moves to eliminate parole conditions for nonviolent
offenders signals a major advance for California.

The governor's primary motives may well be the fiscal health of the state,
but the overhaul of California's penal system could have far wider
benefits, including subsequent reform of the "three strikes" law.

Californians should applaud Schwarzenegger's courage as a Republican to
promote changes in the penal system, particularly his willingness to
consider releasing prisoners with no violent convictions. Thousands of
people in California and the United States occupy prison cells for
possession of marijuana, an offense that would never justify a custodial
sentence in Great Britain or Western Europe.

It is refreshing to see a conservative politician addressing ideas of
prison reform, instead of pursuing a "lock 'em up and throw away the key"
policy.

- - Sam Pickering Pick, Fair Oaks