Alternatives to jail may come with dangers: #tellusatoday

Current and former police chiefs are heading an initiative aimed at lowering incarceration rates and crime.

Facebook comments edited for clarity and grammar:

Lowering incarceration is a good idea until the data show a rise in crime and violence. Years ago, people also shuttered the mental hospitals and mainstreamed the mentally ill, telling us they would be fine in society with meds.

—Dave Vergilis

The area of Pennsylvania where I have lived all my adult life could use some reform. Citizens are often jailed for misdemeanor crimes and even citations. Fines are at the maximum, and added court costs often more than triple the fine amounts. Those who cannot afford the monthly fine and court costs often end up in jail.

—David Warren

Having taught in corrections for years, it’s easy to see why so many end up incarcerated. Education is key to breaking the cycle. My incarcerated students often could not read, write coherently or do basic math. Teaching them to work together solved most of their learning and self-esteem problems.

—Martha Newman Warner

We asked our followers what they thought should be done to lower mass incarceration rates in the U.S.

Twitter comments edited for clarity and grammar:

End mandatory minimums and prosecutorial misconduct.

—@GrantWTrent

Legalize marijuana.

—@realdcm

Treat drugs as a public health issue, not a crime. Treatment over prison.

—@DaveWMcDowell

My solution to lowering the high incarceration rate: Commit fewer crimes, people. Statistics like the U.S. has 5% of world population but 25% of prisoners are useless.

—@RadioFreeTom

For more, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday.

POLICING THE USA: A discussion of race, justice and media

Letter edited for clarity and grammar:

The misleading statistic that the U.S. has 5% of the world’s population but 25% of the world’s prisoners doesn’t mention the large number of U.S. prison inmates who are reality-challenged (even more so than the rest of us), suffering from disorders such as schizophrenia or even psychosis (“Cut incarceration and crime at the same time,” USATODAY.com, Oct. 21).

It’s all well and good to give non-violent criminals a break.

But a prisoner’s mental state should be considered before dumping him back on the street with no family or facility to care for him. And rebuilding our mental institution network will never happen. On the street, the mentally ill are just as much a danger to themselves as to others.

Wesley Voyles; Garner, N.C.