Dear Editors,
Thank you for publishing this thoughtful article (“A distorted up vision of justice,” Editorial, November 12, page 15). The goal should be to imprison people only when needed for the safety of others. Mandatory minimum laws only serve to make minor criminals into hardcore criminals, encourage gangs, and increase prison populations at the cost of all taxpayers. Again, thank you for helping to alert the public to the dangers of these insane policies.
—Dave Lane
UC Santa Cruz