After reading the article in the Upstate on Oct. 16 about the race for sheriff, I see Chuck Wright as a candidate with a logical solution to the drug problem. On the other hand, there's candidate Jack Owens, whom I might have randomly voted for, being a loyal Democrat. Owens is for stiffer penalties for drug offenders to resolve our drug problems. It's hard to believe some still think adding more time to offenders' sentences will fix the problem. South Carolina not only has stiff drug penalties already in place, it has strict mandatory minimum sentences. Oftentimes, small-time drug dealers must serve 85 percent of their sentences because these tough laws classify many of them as violent offenders. [continues 172 words]
I was lying back July 20 and enjoying my day -- until I went through the newspaper. As usual, it reminded me how upsetting reading the newspaper really can be. The first articles I read were the prison industries columns (Perspective section). Wow -- I can't believe we allow this nonsense to go on. Most of our prisoners are working for less than minimum wage or working for no pay. Is this fair? This isn't Guantanamo Bay. This is the United States of America! If this weren't bad enough, a collect call from prison can cost you $5 or more for only a 15-minute call. And after an outrageous phone bill, families of inmates may not be able to afford to send any money for snacks, envelopes, etc. [continues 174 words]
