I read the recent New Haven Register opinion piece on “Locking Up Our Future” by the two folks from OtherWords.org. Their article contrasted the prison system in our country vs. other countries.
I agree that we have a big problem here with incarceration rates and the cost of this unfortunate (but necessary) service that is a multi-billion dollar taxpayer burden. I also support more humane solutions that include expanded rehabilitation in many cases.
The authors failed to address a larger point as to why we incarcerate so many people here in America. Is it because our laws are too strict? Overzealous prosecutors and judges? Drugs? Bad parenting? Repeat offenders ? Are our citizens just more apt to break the law? This is difficult to tell, but pointing the finger at “for profit” prisons as the reason for this problem is like blaming the rain on the folks who make the umbrellas.
Bart Piccirillo
Bethany