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Regarding today’s THINK OUT LOUD program about “life on death row”………

First, I want to commend Supt Jeff Primo on his expressed attitude of respect toward those residents of Oregon’s Death Row. He obviously is doing his job of keeping convicted people separated from the general population, but not focused on making their live as miserable as they can be.

Second, I totally disagree with the caller, who described life on death row as “the life of Reilly”. I have visited an inmate on death row, as well as visiting inmates at three other DOC institutions…..in my opinion none of these people have a life of Rielly….if someone thinks that this is a desirable life they should try to stay in their bedroom for 22.5 hours a day and stay in their house or yard the rest of the day. Once in a while, maybe, for long periods of time, very doubtful that they would consider it a life described as anything favorable.

 My final comment would be that the Dept of Corrections has proven that they can keep not only citizens, but prison workers, safe from people who are convicted of violent crimes. The citizens of Oregon are spending literally millions of dollars on a death penalty system that is not necessary. There are alternatives to a death penalty that work, are less expensive, provide safety for the rest of us, and punish people by taking away their freedom, which those of us on the outside take for granted. At a time when Oregon and every other state struggles with its fiscal problem Oregon should seriously consider repealing the death penalty.

Ron Steiner  Salem, OR  Box 2862 97308  (503) 375-9501

posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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