To the Editor,

Crime is not an industry; however, our propensity to incarcerate is. To characterize crime as an industry to me shows a level of desensitization that perpetuates this prison industrial complex that’s socially and fiscally irresponsible.

There is what is called cause and effect and we as society must evolve in direct proportion. How can a county continually use punitive measures to address crime when it’s only proven to be costly and highly ineffective?

Now I don’t advocate for violent offenders, my focus is the recidivist nature of chemically dependent offenders. This is the bulk of the logjam in our system.

The goals of improving public health and public safety are inextricably intertwined, so that improvement of one enhances progress in the other.

Demographics may spur infrastructure improvement at our current detention facility; however, it would be highly progressive to include comprehensive measures designed to address issues that cause this revolving-door effect. Let’s address the cause, thereby mitigating its effect.

Jonathan Allen

Lumberton