The new three-strikes-in-your-life campaign against crime would permit a criminal to commit three felony convictions before the courts realize they are a threat to society. Meaning they may steal three cars or rape three people before they are taken off our streets forever. I think the need for change should begin prior to the third conviction.

The necessary changes should take place within the court rooms and prison institutions. First of all, I don't believe there is enough clarity within the written laws to provide justice. A clear illustration of the ineffective direction of our court system is that throughout the Bobbitt trials neither one was found guilty of any charges. John Bobbitt was found not guilty of marital rape and Lorena Bobbitt was found not guilty by reason of insanity for her harmful act upon her husband. I'm not sure what you think, but someone was guilty of something.

More importantly there needs to be a comprehensive rehabilitation program for those individuals that are going to be set free into society. This should start with an indepth psychological evaluation to establish a treatment regimen -- including occupational, vocational and recreational rehabilitation.

Convicted criminals should have the opportunity to receive counseling, educational guidance and course work to gain skills necessary to become positive contributors to society. And they should participate in recreational activities for the release of stress and anxiety. Prisons should not only be a place of punishment and reconciliation but also an institution of re-education.

I certainly don't believe convicted criminals should live in the lap of luxury at our expense while they prepare for college level exams, but you must realize the lifestyle differences experienced in prison. An individual that spends long days in solitary confinement and even longer in social situations filled with violence, hatred and fear will not be able to adapt easily to the outside world.

If criminals were to be incarcerated for an extended period of time, living in a severely violent atmosphere, how can we expect them to easily forget their conditioned forms of survival and adapt to society? Under such circumstances why are so many people shocked with the high percentages of return offenders?

I believe prisons should be dirty, disgusting and cruel to it's tenant. Afterall, they chose to sign the lease for their living arrangements. On the other hand we must also realize that many of those living in these overcrowded, disease filled prisons, will one day be paroled. Wouldn't you rather have tax dollars spent on reconditioning these criminals, than paying for their return?

I listened to a lecture by a South Carolina penitentiary warden on CNN that discussed the way his prison operated. First, he had established a "level" system in which inmates could move from the bottom to the highest level based on their behavior and accomplishments. Each of these levels offered an increase in rights and privileges as well as living conditions.

This form of rehabilitation allowed the prisoners the opportunity to "earn" their way to an improved lifestyle through education, counseling and recreational activities. Utilizing this type of program limited the spending of tax dollars to individuals that would take their time and energy working harder to prove themselves worthy of rewards.

The present practice of releasing inmates early to make ample room for drug offenders supports my claim that the system needs overhauled. Certainly drug related criminals deserve the appropriate facilities to accommodate them, but do you realize mapny of those being released have often committed serious violent acts? This program is expected to play a major role on the war against drugs, but what about our protection from violent criminals?

You have to understand the message being sent to would-be criminals all over the United States -- not only can they get away with crime but the prison sentences do not deter crime.

Do you recall the edited scene from The Program that contained the scene of athletes lying in the center of the road playing chicken with cars? The reason was because many believed it had given others the idea of carrying out this act and harming themselves.

Well what about the children who are fed up with their parents for whatever reason, does this mean they may get the idea it is acceptable to kill them? Or the spouse who has had enough of their partner and decides to cause them bodily harm. The final outcomes of criminal cases sets an unchangeable precedent for the conviction of future offenders.

We have spent so much time ridiculing and publicizing cases such as the Menendez brothers and the Bobbitts that many have failed to realize the negative effects that are being relayed to society.

I believe it is time to completely overhaul the justice system. Words like insanity are completely misinterpreted by the courts. It is rather often used to allow the criminal to be set free rather than initiate the proper treatment plan for adjustment.