Letters to the Editor: Punish first, then rehab Wis. ST. Journal Feb. 18, 2005

Punish first, then rehab Wis. ST. Journal Feb. 18, 2005 I was struck by the contrast between Thursday's guest column by Jodi Beyer titled "Why is killer in rehab, not prison?" and the front page photo of Cheri Maples accepting the job as the Division of Community Corrections State Supervisor of offenders on probation and parole. While Beyer is righteously angry that the killer of her husband now resides in a "hotel for drug rehabilitation" and not a prison, Corrections Secretary Matt Frank states that Maples' background and experience meshes with the department's "new direction of helping offenders in the community succeed." Maples' statement that "Just like it takes a village to raise children" . . . to be successful with offenders, "there are a number of things you have to surround them with." Many believe it takes but one caring adult to raise a successful child, and an offender who spends several years in prison as punishment for recklessly killing someone will come out motivated to take responsibility for his own behavior. I searched in vain for a statement by Frank or Maples about the ultimate responsibility of each offender for their own success. The "village" is tasked with trying and, if guilty, sentencing the individual to be removed from the village. They can return, but not while serving the sentence. We wish Maples well in this new endeavor. Posting Jodi Beyer's column in her office should be one of the first things she does. -- William Richardson, Madison