Three strikes law an expensive travesty of justice
July 16, 2009 · 1:40 PM
With the dubious distinction of being the country that locks up more citizens than any other country, it takes many, many tax dollars to accomplish this.
The latest stated figure was over $32,000 each person per year.
As an advocate of reform to our mandatory sentencing law, “3-Strikes,” I wonder how many are aware that those serving life sentences without parole are deteriorating physically as they age and cost about three times as much to incarcerate than their younger counterparts.
They are no longer a threat to society but are far more expensive to the taxpayer.
An ironic twist to this expensive situation is the fact that the majority of those presently serving life under this law have been convicted of relatively minor offenses.
Although criminal acts, when compared with the heinous crimes that do deserve such punishment, it is ridiculous that they should be sharing that same fate.
SHIRLEY WHITE
Port Townsend
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