CREATIVITY COULD HELP PRISON CRISIS

Dear Editor: I have been to many prison camps and centers within the past
two years. There are so many inmates and so few personnel. Yes! Safety for
correctional officers, staff members, and inmates is important. Something
must be done. However, I don't think that limiting or discontinuing
visitation to inmates will solve the overcrowding problem. In fact, it may
cause more problems if the inmates are not allowed to visit with family
members on a regular basis. Next, relocating inmates to another state will
also be problematic. Talk about long distance travel and telephone calls.
Personnel will have to pay for transporting, housing, and meals. Why give
our tax dollars to another state? Moreover, family members will have to
spend too much money to visit with a love one for such a short visit. This
is where judges and elected officials can use a bit of creativity. Instead
of immediately sending a person to prison, judges should consider other
possible alternatives, such as, probation, halfway homes, house arrest,
military, etc. I personally know of a young man that was sent directly to
prison on a first offense drug charge. In this case, probation should have
been an option. If judges continue not to give a second chance, prisons
will remain overcrowded. In closing, judges and elected officials please
use a bit of creativity before sentencing. Correctional officers and family
members will thank you for help. Let's be creative!

Reggie Mitchell

Tuscaloosa