Prison reform

I read Ed Gaskin’s report on the state of corrections and recidivism.  I was a correctional officer for 14 years. There were many programs including GED classes, a drug block and wood shop.  Inmates painted, did landscape work and other things. The problem was they couldn’t stay clean from drugs. You can’t teach that. I would say that at least 70% returned to jail within a year or coded on the street.

Until we get a handle on drugs and other illegal activities we will continue to see people returning to jail. Think about the difference between being a cook, a landscaper, construction worker and a drug dealer. The money isn’t even close. Civilians don’t realize how many chances people get before they are actually incarcerated. Work in a prison and you’ll understand why the people are there. While incarcerated they are actually not that bad but in society it is a different story.  It’s all about drugs and the Benjamins.  No amount of preparedness or vocational training will solve it.

Education needs to be done in elementary school. Enabling bad behavior needs to stop. Until all children have a stable home with caring parents or guardians any revamp of prisons is a waste of time and money. When kids as young as 13 or 14 are joining gangs or just getting into trouble it’s almost too late because they will end up in the system. Few get out once they are in.

After working in the system and speaking to numerous people I think it’s in better shape than our immigration system, but that’s not saying much.

David Kelly

Norfolk

Donald Trump

The hardest part of watching SCOTUS discuss whether or not Trump should be on the ballot in Colorado is that America watched the speakers, including Trump, who ginned up the riot.  They watched rioters prepared for violence, taunt Nancy Pelosi, threaten to kill Mike Pence, use bear spray on Capitol Police, defecate in the Capitol and the ultimate death of five people.  Americans learned the president watched the violence for hours on White House TV.  It is unthinkable that such a person should be allowed to run for office. Thank you Colorado for doing the right thing.  SCOTUS is worried that other states may follow Colorado – if only they would.  What does SCOTUS want for America?

Jan Kubiac

Hyannis

Iran

We should promote an amendment to our Constitution adding to the qualifications for president the standard of an undergraduate grade of C or better in psychology. President Joe Biden, mentored by former President Barack Obama and quondam Iran negotiator John Kerry, continues to hanker for an acknowledgement that the Shiite terrorists in Tehran, who are abetting a religious war with the West, will play nice with him. He knows that erstwhile President Donald Trump had General Qasum Soleimani, a top Iranian commander, terminated in January 2020 without a major escalation, but still yearns for a pat on the back from Ayatollah Khamenei. Our president’s desire for a glad-hand from terror-central is embarrassing and may cost him votes in November.

Paul Bloustein

Cincinnati, Ohio