A Human-Rights Issue That Politicians Must Address

To President Bush, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Sen. Barbara Boxer, Gov. Gray Davis, representatives, state senators and members of the state Assembly: I challenge each of you to read Fred Dickey’s disturbing but not surprising article on prison rape (“Rape. How Funny Is It?” Nov. 3). Then I challenge each of you to explain why “prison rape is the most tolerated act of terrorism in the U.S.”

This is not a Republican, Democratic, conservative or liberal issue. This is a human-rights issue located right here in our backyards and not a call for pampering prisoners. As the cliche goes: “You do the crime, you do the time.” However, prisons were meant to deprive convicted criminals the opportunity to perpetrate their evils on society. Instead, we have given them freedom to hone their criminal skills and continue their predatory ways without consequences. As we stand guard at our shores looking for international terrorists, our own national terrorists are gaining strength. Wake up! Be brave! This problem can be solved.

Lynn V. Smilow

Via the Internet

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I found the concept of addressing the issue of prison rape completely ridiculous. Next we will hear how sending the perpetrators to Pelican Bay and solitary confinement for their acts would be a violation of their civil rights. Come on now, these are criminals who committed crimes that got them in this situation in the first place. I have no sympathy for child molesters, rapists or other felons who have committed an atrocious act and are now suffering the consequences. I always thought this was one of the deterring ways to keep someone from committing a crime in the first place.

Carmela Blanchard

Torrance

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We are drowning in newsprint and I was going to cancel our subscription, but the article on prison rape was so important that I wanted to let you know we are keeping our subscription to support you. This is real journalism. Congratulations on an excellent article. Our justice system has to confront the unconstitutional reality that we regularly sentence people to cruel and unusual punishment.

Deborah Young

Via the Internet