The editorial criticizing the Michigan penal system (“Hard time,” SN 6/18) for imposing strict visiting policies is ignorant and obviously lacks the understanding of what purpose a prison serves.

Convicted criminals are put behind bars for a reason - they are to be punished for their crime.

This means the state has the right to determine what level of risk and danger this individual presents to others, and that includes other inmates, guards and the rest of society.

Many rights free citizens have are restricted, controlled or eliminated when a person enters the penal system.

You may not own a handgun. You may not possess pornography and your visitors are restricted as well.

If you don’t like those restrictions then that should send a message to all potential felons to take personal responsibility for their lives. Prison life isn’t supposed to be modeled as a private resort.

My two brothers, as well as my uncle, are prison guards. On a regular basis they are assaulted by violent inmates, confiscating weapons and searching for contraband items.

I hear regular stories about drugs being smuggled into the prisons, as well as the subhuman behaviors many of those incarcerated act out.

I applaud the state of Michigan’s correctional system and all those who work to keep the scum off the streets, to protect our families and to ensure that those legally convicted are dealt with in accordance to the law.

Kirk Taskila
1990 MSU graduate