It's called correction

One of the largest departments in our state government is the Department of Correction (which is a sad statement about our society). The name was chosen to reflect the goal of returning people convicted of crimes to society as responsible citizens by the use of appropriate programs. The philosophy was that if an inmate behaved while in prison and tried to better himself by getting an education and enrolling in ethics and character building, drug and alcohol treatment and behavioral management programs to become accountable for his actions, he would be rewarded with time off his sentence. It was also an effective way to control inmates who can be a dangerous mix in large numbers by giving them a credit for every day they behaved.

Later legislatures decided on policies and programs with different approaches, but always with the goal of changing anti-social behavior and returning people to society capable of living law-abiding, productive lives.

A review of the records of these inmates seeking to have their life sentences declared completed would show that they have put in countless hours and even years in prison rehabilitative programs, educational courses, community building and faith-based relationships through local prison ministries.

Many of these inmates cleaned our highways, worked to restore communities after hurricanes, painted schools, built playground equipment and made many other contributions. Many have been on work-release and working alongside us. Under later statutes, many would have received shorter sentences for the same crimes and would have been out long ago.

Finally, these inmates are mostly old men and women, who statistically are not a high-crime demographic.

The disposition of these inmates is for the courts to decide and should not be used as a political football.

Eleanor Kinnaird, N.C. Senate, Carrboro