Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Prison equation is easy math

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You are correct to be concerned about Idaho's prison situation if the state is having to relieve overcrowding by exporting inmates to other states.

However, you seem to be part of the problem by commencing your editorial with a swipe at "the politically inspired, tough-on-crime era ..."

The accumulating mass of crime victims were being perfectly rational in demanding that the government do its primary job of protecting the public from violent crime.

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Perhaps you would share with your readers exactly which inmate was sent to prison for no reason.

Prisons should be "right sized." Right sizing is an entirely ascertainable number.

Since Cain slew Able, about 2 percent of the male population has consistently proved the need for appropriate jail, prison, mental health or probation and parole attention.

Factoring that by the average age of the population gives policy makers a dependable measure and mix of facilities needed.

The true purpose of the criminal justice system is to protect the public, not rationalize criminal conduct.

The policy of the state of Idaho ought to be "Redeem the redeemable, restrain the dangerous, and know the difference."

Larry Stirling

Retired Superior Court Judge

Warm Springs