LACK OF COMPASSION

Mandatory Sentencing For First-Time Drug Offenders Removes Human Element

I am happy that repeat violent drug offenders are finally going to get long
prison sentences. I am surprised that these people did not receive
mandatory sentences when they were previously caught.

I'm actually shocked at this, because one of my friends is sitting in
prison for a first-time drug of-fense despite no prior record and despite
being a person loved by family and friends. We all wrote letters and
pleaded with prosecutors to look at this friend's case with compassion.
They did not, and the judge had no choice but to sentence my friend to a
mandatory 15 years in prison.

Because of the mandatory sentencing laws, drug offenders who have never
been in trouble before are receiving stiffer sentences than some killers
and rapists. The prisons are filled with low-level, first-time drug offenders.

I cannot understand why there is no compassion for people who become
addicted to illegal drugs. We go out of our way to help alcoholics and
smokers. I guess because they are both legal drugs, that makes it OK.

It seems that, with illegal drug abuse, we send them away to prisons, and
when they finally do come back, they have been introduced to a life of
violence and humiliation while in prison. We need to re-habilitate drug
abusers. I am not saying that they should not be punished, but the
punishment should fit the crime.

We need to eliminate mandatory sentencing and allow judges to sentence
criminals. That way, there is a human element involved, and maybe your
friend or family member will receive a fair and just sentence.