Election time just passed and I can’t help but focus on one subject that the candidates point out to make themselves look good. What makes them think that having a prisoner serve out 85% of their time a good thing? I want someone to say that the convicts have to serve out 100% of their time. It actually seems like an incentive to some to commit crimes. Since the person will not have to serve the whole sentence, why not go ahead and break the law? The scary thing is this applies to criminals from a small drug charge all the way to violent criminals.

I have been told that if a person has a clean record, they could be picked up for rape, battery or even child molestation and not be charged, as long as they participate in an intervention program. This makes no sense. Violent people are being put back on the streets with a mere probation sentence until they strike again. If they commit another crime during the intervention time, then they go to jail and are charged with both crimes. I just hope it’s not too late for an innocent person. Even worse, since they have not been convicted, there is no way for you to know who these people are. It could be your neighbor.

The government blames this on the jails being overcrowded. That’s just not good enough for me. If there is a problem with the amount of space, build a new jail. Or better yet, quit allowing people on death row to live for 30 years while in there. Create a law where violent offenders are automatically sentenced to death, and carry it out. Maybe we can control the amount of offenders, or at least get rid of them after one crime is committed instead of housing them for years on end.

This is just one woman’s opinion. Take care.