• printer friendly
• mail this article
• iPod format
• digg

Site Sponsor:

Speaks Out

April 15, 1999

Should the government invest more money in the construction of new prisons to alleviate overcrowding? Or should it invest more money in education to

prevent people from entering

a life of crime? What would

be your solutions?

"If we were to refocus our money into education instead of building so many prisons, we would solve a lot of problems. More money definitely needs to go into education. Also, we need to amend the Three Strikes law. Too many people are going to prison ­ for life ­ for crimes that are not serious crimes. That is one of the major causes of overcrowding in prisons."

LaKisha Jamison

Third-year

Political science

"From what I understand, most criminals in jail committed victimless crimes, such as drug abuse. I think we should decriminalize drugs; that would free up a lot of space. Building more prisons or releasing murderers or rapists to make room for drug addicts is silly."

Nathan Wright

First-year

Computer science

"The problem starts at the basis of society. People don't get the education, the background to get a job; there are a lot of problems with poverty. If you really want to address the problem, you have to start at the roots instead of taking care of the problem once the damage is done. I also think it's very important to have rehabilitation for criminals to provide them with something to do once they're out."

Yves Rubin

Associate professor

Chemistry

"We should invest money in other programs, such as education. Keeping kids in school prevents them from making problems. We should probably build more prisons for the current overcrowding, but there should be money for other programs, such as rehabilitation."

Tiffany Vu

First-year

Biology

"We certainly should invest more money into upgrading our schools, but will it make a difference unless there is a fundamental shift in the home? The real core of the prison problem goes back to the type of training people receive in their homes. It can't only come from schools. That's leaving it up to teachers to solve everything."

Richard McBride

Doctoral candidate

Buddhist studies

Comments, feedback, problems?

© 1999 ASUCLA Communications Board

Comments

Post a comment