Readers React: The Irish take a stand against U.S. ‘supermax’ incarceration

To the editor: As a dual U.S.-Irish citizen, I could not be prouder of my roots — because of Ireland’s refusal to extradite a man wanted by the U.S. for fear that he may end up in a federal “supermax” prison. (“U.S. ‘supermax’ prison: ‘Alcatraz of the Rockies’ is seen as ‘inhuman and degrading’,” Aug. 9)

At what point did Americans decide prison no longer means punishment and rehabilitation and now means vengeance? Have Christian Americans forgotten their Bible, in which God says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” and decided instead it was theirs alone?

The only people benefiting from these hugely expensive, solitary-confinement prisons are the corporations involved in our prison industrial complex and the politicians who take their lobbying dollars. Is America proud that we are No. 1 in the world among developed nations in the number of citizens serving time in prison?

Erin go Bragh!

Timothy Wood, Los Angeles

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