Dear Ann Landers: After my car was stolen and recovered, I attended the court arraignment and sentencing of the thief. It was an eye-opener to say the least.
There were at least 50 juveniles in the courtroom-male and female, black, white and Asian, ranging in age from 12 to 16. The charges included everything from attempted murder and selling drugs to mugging, breaking and entering, shoplifting, arson and possession of firearms (Uzis, AK-47s, you name it). Only two of these kids were first-time offenders.
The judge appeared to be extremely lenient. He treated them like naughty children, telling them to behave themselves and mind their parents.
When these young hoodlums reach 18, their records will be closed, and they will be given a clean slate. Invariably they show up in adult court.
It`s time to lower the accountability age to 13. Also, their names, their ages and descriptions of their crimes should be published in the paper. We need to go back to old-fashioned reform schools, where young lawbreakers were taught basic living skills and work ethics, developed good eating habits and learned how to live with others.
Against Coddling Hoodlums
Dear Against: Most reform schools make kids meaner and teach them how to be better criminals. What we really need are rehabilitation centers where
”young hoodlums” are taught a trade and equipped to go out into the world and earn an honest living. This is not easy when they can make 10 times more running drugs.
These children need heroes and role models. How I wish some of our great American success stories would go to these reform schools and talk to the kids. It would be a real service and just might make a difference in somebody`s life. I have addressed the inmates at Cook County Jail twice. They behaved like gentlemen, hung on every word and gave me a standing ovation.
Dear Ann Landers: This letter was prompted by the one from ”F.C.,” who is in prison and concerned about re-entering society when he is released.
In 1990, I signed on as the medical director of a South Carolina prison. My contract was for one year. I resigned after 90 days because I didn`t approve of what went on there and soon realized I could not change anything.
The correctional authorities made it clear that their function is to incarcerate. Period. They make no attempt to rehabilitate their prisoners and prepare them to re-enter society. The inmates are not required to take any training nor are they required to do any work. If a man wants to sit on his rear end and watch color TV all day, he is allowed to do it.
About 30 percent of the inmates I saw appeared to be mentally retarded. The majority of the others were what I would describe as social Neanderthals. It is a darned shame that taxpayers are shelling out so much money to lock these people up only to have them returned to society in the same shape or worse than before the prison experience. I`m signing my name and you have my permission to use it.
Dr. I.F. Wood Jr., Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Dear Dr. Wood: You have written a splendid letter and I admire your courage in allowing me to use your name.
More than 30 years ago, Dr. Karl Menninger, a giant of a man who set the highest standards for psychiatry, wrote a book called ”The Crime of Punishment.” He addressed the very problem you described.
How long is it going to take for us to get smart?
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