Locking people up

When I read the article, “Prison population expected to hit record,” I wondered whether our legislators were concerned more about the cost associated with locking people up or compassion about men and women spending decades incarcerated with no hope of release (April 30).

That was easy to figure out; now we need to know how to address the problem.

During my employment with the state, the Department of Corrections opened 10 new institutions. So I understand we cannot build our way out of this situation. Also understand that it is not the mission of the department to rehabilitate inmates, that is not in the mission statement. Plus, you cannot change a person unless they want to or are willing to change.

What we cannot do is lock someone up and throw away the key. That is both cruel and inhumane. It was the job of the parole commission to grant early release, but that was a politically driven mechanism. Since we have truth in sentencing, there is no process for early release. People do change over time, especially inmates. They are no longer angry, immature, narcissistic individuals.

What is the answer? Stop locking people up for violating a rule. If they commit another felony, fine, but not a probation rule. I could never understand releasing a person from prison and then giving that person a set of rules that it is nearly impossible to follow. Establish a community-based review board for the early release of offenders.

We have stakeholders in the community who believe they should have a voice in the management of the prison population. Give it to them.

Michael Claus Sr. Milwaukee