Just say no to the prison industry

The Boone County Commission may soon ask voters to support a sales tax increase for the $14.5 million expansion of the Boone County Jail. Karen Miller, the Southern District Com-missioner, suggested earlier this month the pro-posal would likely be on the April ballot. Offi-cials have justified the proposal due to the coun-ty housing many of its prisoners in the facilities of other jurisdictions. Officials suggest these costs have been significantly depleting county coffers.

Incarceration is not the only solution to crime in society. Other options, such as com-munity service, work release, drug treatment, and electronic shackling programs are more humane and less expensive ways to deal with nonviolent or misdemeanor offenders. In addition, offen-ders unable to afford bail should not be punished with more jail time. This reifies the basic inequi-ties of a profit driven society and ultimately costs the public more money.

Public officials have come to believe that the only way to control crime is jail time. That attitude blocks the exploration of alterna-tives. The county officials should prioritize funding less-costly programs, which actually prevent crime--such as poverty-eradication, education and community building programs-- not just, punish after the fact. To voice your concerns on this and/or other issues call Com-missioners Miller, Don Stamper, and Skip Elkin at 886-4305.

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