Editor,
I am writing in response to (or perhaps in an attempt to build on) Toby Kramer's letter in Wednesday's Daily Lobo about sexual violence in prison. This is a terrible problem, and the fact that we've become so callous to it - that it's become nothing more than a joke - is truly horrifying. Kramer did a good job of raising awareness, but the next issue is, "So what do we do?" Aside from donating to Human Rights Watch or other organizations specifically organized around this issue, active participation is essential.
This is a democracy, and the government can stop this if we actively insist that they do. Write a letter or e-mail to Sen. Pete
Domenici or Rep. Heather Wilson, or another representative at the state or local level. We need efficient prison systems with noncorrupt guards. Part of the horror of this is that the people who are supposed to prevent wrongdoing in society - the guards and prison officials - at best ignore the violence and at worst actually encourage and participate in it. We too are watching and doing nothing.
To be constructive members of a democracy, we must step in to stop prison rape and violence. Justice is not served when a hardened murderer can rape an intelligent college student convicted for a minor drug possession without any adverse consequences. Our society will be judged by how we treat our weakest citizens.
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Lesley Bell
UNM student
