Pubdate: Mon, 30 Dec 2013 Source: Concord Monitor (NH) Copyright: 2013 Monitor Publishing Company Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/WbpFSdHB Website: http://www.concordmonitor.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/767 Author: David Fischer WRONG WAY TO DEAL WITH INMATE DRUG ABUSE Re "Prison to alter mail rule" (Monitor front page, Dec. 11): The New Hampshire Department of Corrections has announced that it will begin restricting the First Amendment rights of inmates and their loved ones to communicate by banning correspondence via letters for maximum and close-custody inmates. For general population inmates, envelopes will be seized upon delivery. The reason given for this change is to prevent the introduction of contraband - specifically the drug suboxone - into the prison. Preventing drug use within a prison is certainly a noble goal. However, a peek behind the proverbial curtains reveals that this is yet another leap down the road of ineptitude when it comes to truly addressing drug abuse, the largest reason for recidivism. It will probably surprise most people, but there is zero substance abuse treatment within the prisons of our state. Like the failed war on drugs, the Department of Corrections addresses drug abuse solely via futile efforts at eliminating supply while addressing demand only via the use of punitive measures on inmates who use drugs. Specifically, the department transfers the inmate to restrictive housing (21-hour lock-down), takes away electronic items, restricts visitattion and is now limiting correspondence to postcards for these inmates. Even in general population there are not enough jobs, programs or activities for inmates. In sum, the Department of Corrections has created an environment that increases the desire to use drugs and the probability that an incarcerated addict will succumb to the urge to do so while providing zero treatment to such individuals. "Corrections" is a myth! DAVID FISCHER Concord (The writer is an inmate at the state prison.) - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom