CORRECTIONAL CUTS

Revolving doors: I am an inmate in the TDCJ system, in a state jail in
Dallas for fraudulent use of ID or using a fake name at a traffic stop. I
have done two years this October and I have seen the changes take place
firsthand that were talked about in this article ["Prison Break," by Scott
Nowell, July 17].

All drug programs were also eliminated, teachers got pink slips; 75 percent
of this jail population doesn't have a GED. Although those classes weren't
cut, there is sometimes a waiting list that exceeds the offender's stay,
since most sentences are six or nine months. The recidivism rate for drug
offenders is incredible. I know of one gal who is on her third sentence (in
two years). Without treatment, she'll be back again, too.

They also are not giving psychiatric medications as they claim they are too
expensive. There is a massive effort to privatize all of the units. They
barely serve each offender enough food to get by. They have no intentions
of rehabilitation for the offender, just sell out to whoever will keep the
cattle flowing. When inmates get out -- still not educated, still addicted
and nowhere to go -- they will go right back to drugs.

It's very sad to think that this is our system.

Name withheld by request

Dallas