September 24, 2011Dear Sir,It has often been said that those “honest” citizens who use drugs and prostitutes and those who turn a blind eye to crime are partially to blame for the violence associated with our gang wars. Young men are being killed and others are being locked up for many years for their murder. Although real, I am not focused at present with the human cost, but the financial cost of crime in Bermuda.Over the next 38 years it will cost the taxpayers of this country over $3 million to provide accommodation, clothing, recreation, three meals a day and unlimited healthcare for a murderer. That is just one person at $85,000 a year. Do the math based upon our prison population and see one of the financial costs of our crime wave. Add frightened residents who have left Bermuda, tourists who just don’t come anymore, police and court costs and that little snort, bit of a tickle and the blind eye start to get real costly.Unless we decriminalise drugs and prostitution, which will continue to thrive quite nicely, although illegally, if we continue the “war”, and so cut off the supply of funds to the gangs that control them, things will only get worse. As I can’t see any of our politicians having the testicular fortitude to go against the church vote and supply drugs on prescription with education, I fully expect it to get worse.Based upon recidivism rates in Bermuda one wonders if we gain anything by trying to turn hardened gang members and seasoned criminals into model citizens, so why not just lock them up, provide basic amenities and make them work for their keep. The carrot hasn’t worked so let’s see if real hard time will reduce recidivism. There are probably those “bleeding hearts” that would object to criminals suffering and conveniently forget about the victims’ lives the criminals have ruined or taken, so let’s ship the long term convicts overseas. Out of sight, out of mind.I know the jails in Liberia are a little overcrowded but they may take our gang members and hardened criminals for as little as $10,000 a year each. This would save $75,000 a year for each one and that money could be used to help pay of the national debt or aid the charities that are trying to help those law abiding folk and our seniors who are in need. A few short years in a real jail and the promise of a return there for a reconviction would do wonders for recidivism rates. Prison time in Bermuda is no punishment and no deterrent.Hard time neededThe following is a somewhat satirical comparison of the life of a convicted prisoner and a senior if reversed that did the rounds on the web a years or so back. You may have seen it …Should we put the seniors in jail, and the criminals in a nursing home?This way the seniors would have:Access to showers, hobbies, and walks,They’d receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical treatment, wheelchairs etc.And they’d receive money instead of paying it out.They would have constant video monitoring, so they could be helped instantly, if they fell, or needed assistance.Bedding would be washed twice a week, and all clothing would be ironed and returned to them.A guard would check on them every 20 minutes, and bring their meals and snacks to their cell.They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose.They would have access to a library, weight room, spiritual counselling and free education.Simple clothing, shoes, slippers, PJs and legal aid would be free, on request.Private, secure rooms for all, with an exercise outdoor yard, with gardens.Each senior could have a PC a TV, radio and daily phone calls.There would be a board of directors, to hear complaints, and the guards would have a code of conduct, that would be strictly adhered to.ALL complaints would be investigated and a written report filed.The “criminals” would get:Cold food,Be left all alone and unsupervised.Lights off at 8pm and showers once a week.Live in a tiny room, and pay $6,000 per month and have no hope of ever getting out.JUSTICE FOR ALLPembroke