TALK OF THREE-STRIKE RULE BY LAWMAKERS IS A JOKE

The July 1 front page of the Hawai'i section reads, "Lawmakers get 'ice'
education." If they want a real education, I invite any lawmaker to come to
work with me for a week.

It's a joke to hear these lawmakers talk about the three-strike rule (three
felony convictions) like they have in California. That would require the
Hawai'i Paroling Authority to release people early because there would not
be enough room in our already overcrowded prisons. So if people would stop
complaining about where to build our new prison, we could be saving many
people from emotional stress and financial loss.

It's good to offer more drug treatment to inmates or to people as a
condition of their probation. But it should be optional. In order for drug
treatment to work, the person being treated has to feel like quitting. Most
ice users don't want to quit. You can't just order them to go to drug
treatment and expect it to work. Why waste counselors' time (and taxpayers'
money) with people who are not willing participants?

Ryan Ujimori, Police officer

Wahiawa Police Station