To the Editor:

It’s time to revisit the criminal justice system incarceration versus job training for the future non-violent offenders.

It costs approximately $34,000 per year to house one nonviolent inmate in a North Carolina prison. This is a serious burden on the taxpayers and it creates career criminals, not always by their own choosing.

Compared to the same nonviolent offenders being place on probation if they choose to and be required to learn a trade or skill, usually 6-12 months, at a cost of less than $10,000 per year to the taxpayer of North Carolina, thus creating a skilled, taxpaying worker as an asset to the community.

It’s simple. We can continue to go down this ever-growing road of incarcerating nonviolent young people with no end in sight or we begin focusing on moving our community toward a more productive future, skilled workers growing businesses, building homes and improving our schools.

It’s our decision to make.

Bill Booth

Washington