Pubdate: Mon, 09 Jul 2001
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Website: http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/
Address: 72 Marietta Street, NW, Atlanta, Ga. 30303
Email:  2000 Cox Interactive Media.
Forum: http://www.accessatlanta.com/community/forums/
Author D. C. Pratt

In My Opinion

WORK TO HEAD OFF SOCIETY'S ILLS

We are constantly hearing about the need to punish those who break laws and 
do not fit into the general plan of what is best for our communities. Often 
we hear politicians speak of the needs for boot camps, more prisons and 
bigger jails to control crime.

I think it is time that we identify causes for such growth in prison 
population.

Too many young men and women are warehoused and branded in our institutions 
for life, and there is little spent for prevention of crime related to the 
use of drugs, robbery, rape, dishonesty, vandalism, discrimination and 
general disrespect for law and order.

Most often our institutions of punishment are reserved chiefly for our 
population in poverty, those who suffer from social and mental illness and 
those who lack respect for good values in life.

We need to work in our communities to solve minor problems before they 
become major ones. Our schools, churches, civic groups and homes must 
extend their services of fighting hunger, assisting with basic needs, 
general education, general concern for others and providing places to give 
citizens work.

We must work together to combat the ills of our communities before they 
become epidemic.

D.C. Pratt
Riverdale

D. C. Pratt worked in the school system before retiring. He enjoys writing 
poetry.
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