Emphasizing recovery, not punishment, is better

It's not as hard as you think to shift the emphasis of the judicial system from one of punishment to one of cure and recovery. Remodeling facilities to make the environment more humane, adding recreation rooms and television rooms. More furloughs or weekend passes to families and therapy programs.

Some say we are turning prisons into mental health wards and we may to make changes in living conditions there to treat the patients more humanely.

Let's distinguish between treated and untreated mental health. Folks who don't have treatment cause the crimes such as murder. If you have treatment, chances are you are a model citizen.

Treated individuals are capable of handling higher-paying jobs. Individuals would more likely want to be treated if they could make more money. Right now many avoid treatment because of the stigma that prevents them from getting a good job.

Lowering the minimum wage is not necessary. If businesses want a tax break, pass legislation to pay for educating their educationally disabled workers. Tutors could be provided for study assistance.

One approach that I think is good is to bring closure between the accuser and the accused. If there is no closure, there is bitterness that lasts for years.

Al Swegle

Cedar Rapids