I am writing in response to the letter by John W. Eby of Monaghan Twp. (“Prison alternatives can lower prison population,” May 24) regarding prison reform.
Mr. Eby states that various forms of counseling such as drug rehabilitation, restorative justice and faith-based programs would help to reduce prison population and its high costs.
I am always fascinated when a convicted felon faces his or her victim before sentencing and apologizes saying how sorry they are.
One recently stooped to saying that he found God while awaiting his sentencing.
It is obvious that these revelations are designed to entice the judge to give a shorter sentence and are just another tactic used by their lawyer as one last-ditch effort to make losing a case less painful.
The only thing these convicted felons understand is incarceration, being away from friends and family behind bars.
Drug rehab for a drug addict and faith-based or any other counseling for a rapist, child molester or burglar isn’t the answer.
Taking them off the street is.
Many of these people are expert at fooling counselors and others into thinking that they have been rehabilitated.
Let’s not be naive.
Put them behind bars where these individuals belong.
They will have plenty of free time there to seek counseling and prove themselves worthy of being released.
Lower Allen Twp.