Let’s talk about morality of prison

To the Times:

I have read the recent local press and followed the nationwide discussion regarding criminal justice reform closely.

There are number of subtopics on this issue that have been the focus of significant conversation including mandatory minimum sentences, mental health issues, drug treatment versus incarceration, and yes private entities managing prisons.

One of the issues that I have focused upon is the advocacy groups who frame the question of whether a private forprofit entity should run a prison as a moral one. I say that because the issue is legitimate and one that merits discussion but also because if an individual reached the conclusion that it is immoral then no other factor economic, safety, operational or otherwise will change their mind nor should it.

So it seems to me that we should not be having discussions that overlap each other and would not be productive for our council on this topic. I would think it makes the most sense to separate the discussion of whether it is morally right to subcontract a task such as this from whether it is more efficient to subcontract a task like this. For if it is morally wrong, then no amount of savings or efficiency would matter. If we as a council conclude that there is no moral barrier to this then it is our duty to the taxpayers to determine the safest most efficient way to accomplish our task.

Make no mistake, the operation of a prison is very complex and dangerous. There are people in there with mental health issues who could better be served in another setting, but there are also very bad people who are housed there because they have committed some heinous crimes. I look forward to a vigorous but civil discussion on this topic.

Michael Culp, Delaware

County Council