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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 14, 1993                   TAG: 9304140328
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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NO LUXURIES FOR LAWBREAKERS

IN REGARD to William Tucker's March 15 letter concerning bad conditions in the city jail: I don't know what law he broke, but I would like answers to a few questions:

Why and who caused him to be in jail? Did Roanoke taxpayers force him to break the law? Didn't he know that overcrowded and bad situations are in all jails and prisons? Did he stop to think what his punishment would be before he broke the law? Was his victim treated like a human?

Why should honest taxpayers' money be spent to provide luxury for criminals? What do they want - king-size water beds, 35-inch color television sets, satellite dishes and filet mignon daily for dinner?

In my opinion, they are lucky to have any shelter, food or medical care. When they break the law, they ask for this kind of treatment.

Instead of enlarging the jail, I suggest we make them build a large lot with a high fence and put all lawbreakers in it together. If they act like animals, they should be treated as such.

My property tax has increased every year for five years and now vehicle decals increase. How do they expect retired people on fixed incomes to make ends meet if they keep increasing taxes to provide the luxuries inmates demand? RUTH B. EADES ROANOKE

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