Long sentences not much of a deterrent but serve justice

Published 1:30 am Thursday, February 6, 2025

A recent column by Todd Welch mentions a trope that ignores one basic fact: there is no deterrent effect of long-term sentences. The reason for this is that when committing a crime, the criminal believes he or she will serve no time, because he or she is not going to get caught.

I agree with most of the rest of what Welch says, and encourage keeping the sentences intact because that will keep the offender off the street for longer.

I believe there is an error: “…erode trust in the justice system and retraumatize victims and their families, who must RELIVE (not relieve) their pain…”

Doug Wertz

Everett