The Editor, Sir:

I applaud the Greater Portmore 100-man Police Station, as I live in proximity to the lawmen. I, too, happened to witness inmates bushing the perimeter of the station.

This is an excellent move, yet there is some serious work still pending. Inundated roads in the country, Mount Rosser and other rural and district roads need asphalting. Jamaica is also starving of agricultural produce. Why not use inmates all across the island in the lock-ups and prisons to alleviate the current expenses of the state? Fixing and filling potholes would be a plus, and planting crops on wastelands lying useless around the country.

Hard labour?

If the court says 'umpteen' years at hard labour, then 'how come' inmates sit idly in prisons and being fattened by taxes of the poor?

Many roads and farmlands benefit from inmates throughout the world. If there is no hanging, put them to work. If risk of escaping is imminent, then shackle the feet. These criminals have killed many persons who could have become the movers and shakers of this nation. Ignore human rights, and put criminals serving sentences to work.

I do not know if the inmates at Fort Augusta still wash the clothes of the army and others, if not, give them work also.

I am, etc.,

DELROY LAWRENCE

fortis-forever@hotmail.com