Realistic proposals needed

Re "Corrections system's ripe for an overhaul" (Viewpoints, July 7): Reforming the corrections system isn't easy, but proposals must be realistic. Barry Krisberg's approach pushes responsibility to local governments without appropriate resources or protections. That's no solution.

Take, for example, the suggestion to close California's juvenile prisons, transferring offenders to counties. People need to understand that wards of the juvenile system aren't trivial offenders. Often, these are the most violent gang-bangers, murderers and rapists. Since 2007, California has transferred most of its juvenile offender population to locals, keeping only the most dangerous.

Krisberg's proposals ignore the reality in our communities. The budget crisis doesn't simply impact state services. Counties across California are laying off probation officers who would be needed to handle the population that Krisberg suggests should be sent to our communities.

There is a real solution, however, and it's moving forward: Senate Bills 678 and 431, co-authored by Democrat Mark Leno and Republican John Benoit. They enact performance-based funding for proven local probation programs and increase the efficiency of local probation programs. Both bills are sponsored by the Chief Probation Officers of California.

Bipartisan commitment can reduce the prison population, improve rehabilitation and make California safer. Leno and Benoit are proving it.

– Don L. Meyer, president

Chief Probation Officers of California

Yolo County chief probation officer

Teens need accurate information

Re "Dust off that moral compass, California" (Viewpoints, July 3): Margaret Bengs is right that sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies can have serious consequences for teenagers. That's why the ACLU of Northern California publishes "Your Health, Your Rights" to help adolescents obtain counseling and health care services.

Bengs says she supports responsibility. So do we. A responsible society gives teenagers medically accurate information and access to health care. It's just plain irresponsible to take a "just say no" approach and hope for the best. A recent Journal of Adolescent Health study confirms this, linking a recent rise in teen pregnancy rates to the declining use of contraception following a decade of failed federal abstinence-only education.

"Your Health, Your Rights" was developed with health professionals and is distributed through health centers serving adolescents. It helps responsible teenagers protect themselves against coercion from boyfriends, stay in school, remain healthy and informed and, most importantly, find counseling and help from dedicated doctors and nurses.

We want young people to know that they are not alone and that California has enlightened health policies to keep them safe and healthy. California's moral compass points in the right direction.

– Margaret Crosby, San Francisco,

Attorney, ACLU of Northern California

Junk mail from Steinberg

In June, I received a letter from Sen. Darrell Steinberg.

It was on very nice paper, on multicolored letterhead. It had to do with the privacy of mobile home owners from park management. As I have never lived in a mobile home, I sent an e-mail to the senator asking why I was sent a letter regarding a law effective Jan. 1, 2009. I asked why the information, if relevant, could not have been sent on a postcard.

I got no response until this week. I received another copy of the same letter, again on fancy letterhead, telling me about a law already in effect that does not affect me.

The letter closes by offering assistance with this or any other matter. I already tried that, receiving a useless response. No wonder the Democrats want to continue to spend, spend, spend.

– George Adelsperger

Sacramento

A great Fourth in Rancho

Major kudos and thanks to Rancho Cordova for a perfect, wonderful evening on the Fourth of July. Some contributors to this page suggest that in dire times such as these, we should abandon the frivolity, needless expense, or whatever, of celebration, of fun. I disagree and applaud the city for not caving to that despair. That would be giving the enemy the win.