Thanks to Dan Walters to spotlighting the scandal of our prison system. $10B a year is a lot to pay to stuff our prisons with those who suffer from mental illnesses and drug addicts. And, the costs are just going to get higher. Another $8B has been requested to fix the medical systems inside the prisons. And inside the prisons, trust me, we are absolutely not getting our money's worth. Every program has been cancelled. They don't even hold Narcotis Anonymous meetings anymore because there's no money for coffee.

And when prisoners are released, they are given a few dollars and sent on their way. No attempt is made to ensure that their re-entry into society is such that it minimizes the likelihood of their return. Why? Because the prison system has become big business and a lot of people are getting rich off it. And having people stay longer, return more often is very good for business.

Let's put it to the people of California. Do you want to keep throwing $10B down the drain or would you trade a large part of this to build programs (and fund programs) to provide mental health care, prescription medicine, drug rehabilitation. Trust me, it would be much, much cheaper. And how about if parents could stay home and be around to raise their kids. How much do you think that would save us in years to come?

Let's stop this nonsense once and for all. This is not who Californians are.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive