Letter to the Editor: Prisons Don't Stop Crime

Prisons Don't Stop Crime

April 15, 2010

Regarding the Measure 57 debate, "Prison sentencing: Shelving of Measure 57 was another shell game," by Joshua Marquis, April 4: Given that crime is always going to exist, the question is how can society respond to it in ways that cause the least amount of harm to victims, offenders and society as a whole. In my view, prisons can cause tremendous harm to prisoners, to the staff and to our whole society. If I imprisoned someone in my basement, it would be a serious crime -- a violent crime, as a matter of fact. The only difference is that the state is doing it, and therefore it's legitimate.

I've been a victim of both violent and property crimes, and I do not support longer sentences for anyone. The most just solution to most crimes is to make sure that all people have access to jobs that provide dignity, respect and decent wages. Our society falls so far short of this goal that we have to use prisons as a "solution" to crime. They are not a solution; they are just a surrogate ghetto.

JEFF KERR
Milwaukie