Pubdate: Fri, 15 Jun 2007
Source: USA Today (US)
Page: 24A
Copyright: 2007 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc
Contact:  http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/index.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/466
Author: Edrea Davis

PURSUE PRISON JUSTICE

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca was correct when he decided to
place Paris Hilton on house arrest ("Hilton revolving door: Out of
jail, into court," News, June 8).

Thinks to the failed war on drugs, jails and prisons - especially in
California - are filled dangerously beyond capacity. Minorities and
the poor have suffered the wrath of an unjust system for years.

Now that the system is inconveniencing wealthy white Americans such as
Hilton, the media should focus on the dysfunctional system.

The Rev. Al Sharpton and other activists would accomplish more by
protesting the outrageous sentencing guidelines that result in long
sentences for petty drug crimes and cause overcrowding in prisons. The
reality that murders, child molesters, rapists and other violent
criminals can get less time than non-violent drug offenders is a lot
more newsworthy than Hilton's indiscretions.

I hope that one day our society will look beyond race and class and
recognize that our criminal justice system is terminally ill and
suffering from swollen prosecutors, severely infected police
departments, a comatose judicial system and a fractured
legislature.

Edrea Davis

Forest Park, Ca.
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