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ON PRISON OVERCROWDING

I am writing in response to a Montgomery Advertiser editorial reprinted in the July 4 Dothan Eagle concerning the overcrowding conditions at state prisons.

My son is an inmate at an Alabama state prison.  He was convicted for a first offense of a non-violent crime.  He was sentenced to six years for possession of a controlled substance.

I could not agree more with the writer of that article.  First-time, non-violent offenders should not be sent to prison; prison should be for those who have committed a violent act.

My son suffers from depression and unrelenting back pain for which he had major back surgery in 1994.  He is disabled and he is non-violent.  He didn't harm anyone except himself and he is not a threat to society.  Why don't they just let him go?

If they would release the non-violent offenders, it would alleviate a huge part of the overcrowded conditions.  This would make space for the real criminals - child molesters, robbers, rapists and murderers.  The criminal justice system is broken and in definite need of fixing.  The punishment should fit the crime.

I worry about my son's safety, given his health issues.  I pray every day for God to protect and comfort him.  I pray the legislature will come up with some different laws to help solve problems with jails and prisons.

Faye Owens

Enterprise