By: Trey on 7/27/08
Spectacular response, Allison! I could not agree with you more. I wanted to cheer after reading your letter. Thank you for sharing your point of view with us. I find it refreshing to hear from someone other than some 'bleeding-heart' crying about the "poor mistreated inmates"

By: postreader on 7/27/08
I can appreciate where you are coming from, but I want you to consider a couple of things. We are looking at things from the outside, but we should be aware that there are two sides to a story and someone on the outside may not have as clear a picture as someone on the inside. For instance, did you know that the books in the pods are purchased and provided by local churches, ministries, or friends and families of the inmate?

Matthew 25:36 tells us that the correct way to look upon incarceration. Who have you visited lately?

Is it really all about punishment and revenge?

By: stregha on 7/27/08
i do agree with postreader. i have been in jail, though long ago, and while i am a responsible adult, those who are on the outside of those walls, cannot possibly begin to understand the way the system works on the inside. maybe one should focus more on helping to rehabilitate the poor soul who lost their way to begin with rather than hold a grudge against over where their tax dollars go.

By: MOMOF2 on 7/28/08
It is not about judging somebody here. I think Allison is right on the money. It is frustrating knowing I go to work 40+ hours a week to provide a roof over my children's head, a hot or cold meal on the table, pay for healthcare that is sometimes not the best either and have to listen to somebody that is ungrateful because they wanna act like a heathern complain about what isn't fair. Give me a break! It is the fact that they did the crime and complaining because things aren't fair for them in jail, even the most uneducated folks know that jail is not a place you wanna be. We heard it growing up from our parents, family members and also from school. I remember even taking a field trip to the jails when I was in school, and made a decision right then that I didn't wanna ever be behind bars, so I better act right. We know that is not a place any of us want to be, but I don't think when you go to jail you should be able to have "extra" priveleges. I think if you act like a heathern then you can live like one. That is what is wrong with today's society we want to sugar coat everything for everyone. No one wants to take responsibilities and have to face their consequences because it might be inhumane. Just like Allison said, there are children in places that don't get to go to school to learn and read that probably would love to have that chance. I think we should go back to the chain gangs, make inmates work for their 3 meals a day, their roof over their head, the cot they get to sleep on everynight etc. I would rather my tax money go to an extra person standing on the road with a rifle, guarding inmates if they run from their responsibilites than for my tax money to go to pay for one more inmate to get a free education, sue the system because of unfairness, and for them to lay on their cots and complain about fairness. Their are children that don't even have that and they haven't committed a crime. I gaurantee their would be alot less folks in jail.

By: allison on 7/28/08
I am aware there are two sides to every story. I have made bad decisions in my life and have had to pay the consequences. I have been on the inside to be honest with you all. Postreader mentioned that the local churches are some of the ones who donate and provide the books for the inmates. Does this mean that not only my tax dollars go to provide for those incarcerated but ALSO the money I tithe to church? So, I am getting hit up twice for books provided to those who are behind bars - Wow, I guess I will now have to get a second job! I am not trying to judge those who are paying for a crime they have commited - I am saying that for someone to be in jail and to write to the Post and complain about what they receive while in there is ludicrous!

By: justdance on 7/29/08

Allison, for someone who has been on the inside, it is scary to me that you have no compassion whatsoever for the ones who are still there. Your attitude is very raw and bitter! It would appear to me you have nothing good to say about anything. It seems to be all about YOU and how hard YOU work;

Bring back the chain gangs??!! What else do you suggest, cutting off every prisoners foot so they won't run away??

and MOMOF2, the word is heathen not heathern!

By: allison on 7/30/08
Hahah justdance - you are too funny! Talk about bitter. You must have spent some time in jail yourself. Don't worry - I really don't expect a thank you letter from you. Cutting off prisoner's feet so they don't run away - yikes, that is a little harsh justdance! Just relax - it will all be okay.

By: MOMOF2 on 7/30/08
Well justdance in the South we call them heatherns! I didn't suggest cutting off prisoner's feet, but that could be a good idea! As far as compassion, ask a victim how much compassion they have for them? A mother and father that maybe lost their kid to some sicko..see how much compassion they have. You obviously have not been in a situation of dealing with crime huh? Sounds like to me,Allison did her time and learned that jail is not the place to be! The way I look at it, you wanna read a book go to the library and get a book it is free...it might keep you out of trouble and keep you from committing a crime.