DID PRISON, EARLY RELEASE PLAY PART IN KILLINGS?

Daniel Franklin had no prior violent criminal history, only nonviolent drug
offenses ("Ex-husband, just paroled, held in killings," June 23). Maybe the
association with violent criminals helped drive him over the edge. While
this in no way mitigates his crime, it makes at least as much sense as
blaming his early release. If he stayed in prison for three more years,
would that have made him less violent when he got out?

Nonviolent drug offenders do not belong in prison, period. Prison should be
only for thieves and the violent.

John Zimmer

Detroit