In a May 1 to the Record-Bee Guthrie Worth decried some of the problems in our state prisons. He objected to the fact that felons are kept for many years or even for their entire life in rather decent conditions. Therefore he implies that he would be in favor of executing them. I can relate to his sentiments in that regard because I can think of a number of inmates on our death row for whom I would have no regrets if they were executed, provided their guilt was established beyond any reasonable doubt. Specifically, I am referring to felons who have kidnapped, abused (sexually and otherwise) and then killed children. Richard Allan Davis, who brutalized and killed Polly Klaas, 12, in 1993 comes to mind.
Nevertheless, I am opposed in principle to the death penalty for the following reasons: recent analyses based on the use of modern forensic procedures (e.g. DNA analysis) show that in the past few decades a significant number of people were executed who were innocent of the crimes for which they were charged. In addition, ongoing analyses have disclosed that a number of the inmates who are on death row throughout the country are also unjustly condemned.
There is no doubt that our penal system is fraught with a number of serious problems, and severe overcrowding is just one of them. We need to find ways to reduce the number of inmates, and to decrease the cost of maintaining those in custody. Writers report that the life of our prison inmates is much better than those of many of our citizens who are not criminals. Prison inmates receive plenty of food, and their diets are much more healthful and well-balanced than many outsiders.
The inmates receive health care that is better than available to many non-criminals. They also have shelter from the elements and even entertainment. Is it any wonder re-incarceration is so high? The conditions in our prisons for the inmates are not so bad that upon release only a few of them are determined to do whatever it takes to avoid being returned to places like the San Quentin “Country Club.”
We live in a wasteful culture, look what we do with automobiles with moderate damage. They”re usually dumped in salvage yards because the cost of repairing them are excessive. Why not consider forming a partnership between auto dealers and the managers of our penal system to allow inmates who have lots of time on their hands to rebuild them. These could be sold at a good price to needy people in the U.S., and some might be exported to third-world countries. Inmates could learn auto mechanics, and it may help them find employment upon release. It could reduce the number of autos in the junkyards. Similar salvage operations such as electronic equipment and home appliances could be considered.
Inmates who have committed misdemeanors, and don”t pose a threat in society could be offered a deal for reduced sentences donating blood to the Red Cross. We still have capital punishment in California. Why not offer to commute the sentences of death row inmates to life in prison without the possibility of parole if they are willing to donate a kidney, a lobe of their liver or some bone marrow to save the life of a dying outsider?
The number of inmates in our prisons would be reduced somewhat, so the cost of maintaining the system would be reduced.
Charles S. Nicoll
Lucerne
