Letters

My husband is serving 68 years on a robbery conviction. The terms of his sentencing state that he is to be confined to a state penitentiary. He is currently housed in a Texas county jail with a cellmate serving three months on a failure-to-appear charge. You can do three months locked down, without fresh air, exercise and opportunities to exercise your mind. It is cruel and unusual punishment to do years locked down the way these Colorado inmates currently are in Texas.

Advocating for prisoners is not a popular position in today's society. However, it is time to rein in our correction system before this system runs completely amok. It is time to challenge a radical review of how "business" is being conducted in the DOC. Prisoners are not slaves. Selling their lives to these Texas facilities is only a stopgap measure--and one guaranteed to backfire at any moment if tensions inside these facilities are any indication.

Maria A. Thick Shirt
Golden

The series of articles about prison issues in Colorado was enlightening and well-researched! We at Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants thank Alan Prendergast, Karen Bowers and the Westword staff for a thorough and much-needed look at the problems and concerns plaguing the burgeoning prison system in Colorado. When can we expect the next series of articles?

Dianne Tramutola-Lawson, chair
Colorado CURE

Editor's note: The series is over--for now, at least. The four articles--Alan Prendergast's "The Young and the Reckless" (July 18), Karen Bowers's "I'm a Con, You're a Con" (July 25), Bowers's "Bad Ol' Boys" (August 1) and Prendergast's "Lone Stir State" (August 8)--are posted on the Westword web site at www.westword.com; reprints are also available at the office by calling 296-7744.

Letters policy: Westword wants to hear from you, whether you have a complaint or compliment about what we write from week to week. Letters should be no more than 200 words; we reserve the right to edit for libel, length and clarity. Although we'll occasionally withhold an author's name on request, all letters must include your name, address and telephone number. Write to:

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Denver, CO 80217
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