I urge U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, as well as the Maine electorate, to champion the improvements that would be available to federally incarcerated Mainers (and other Americans) in the proposed legislation S.2123. Mitch McConnell, Senate majority leader, requires that four more Republicans co-sponsor this bill before it comes to the Senate floor for a vote.

This bill would permit judges to use discretion when sentencing offenders, particularly those who have used drugs illegally. For example, when someone who illegally used marijuana a few times is sentenced to 10 to 15 years and is then a felon for life when released, unavailable for most jobs, unable to access many benefits, unprepared for society’s changes, we need to do something.

Some would object that all drug abuse is an act of violence, and should be punished harshly. This is tantamount to the arguments that serving in the military is a violent act, and so is paying our taxes. Both are generalizations with no basis in reality.

Others would argue that while it costs too much to incarcerate a person (estimates are $30,000 to $38,000 per year), communities with prisons would lose valuable jobs if there were fewer prisoners.

Moral issues aside, I propose that these same monies be put to work with new parole officers and rehabilitation workers, to ensure that felons return to their community with adequate, taxpaying jobs, as they find new routes to constructive citizenship.

Please encourage our fine senator to co-sponsor S.2123. It would make a difference.

Douglas McCown

Portland

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