Reconsider those long prison sentences, focus on rehabilitation

Mar 25, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

It is very disappointing to continuously observe convicts being subjected to very long stretches in prison, including life sentences.  I would expect that judges appreciate that our prison system should take into consideration that it is not only a penal institution, but primarily a correctional one, and hand down judgements that take this into consideration.

When one who has committed a crime is incarcerated, the primary purpose in my mind is to take steps to make him realise his wrongdoing, and try to instill in him proper ways of behaviour, proper use of his conscience in all his actions, and to always keep in mind the effects of these on others.  I am so astonished that those in authority should condemn supposed criminals for long periods, without seeming to appreciate that our first duty to those who are accused of wrongdoing is to search for ways by which they can be educated on the proper ways of living, and to help them to regain their proper place in our society.I would also expect that those who control our prisons are properly equipped in this process, and appreciate their obligations in this process of reformation.

Yours sincerely,

Roy Paul

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