Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 18 April 1996 — Page 3

The Muncie Times, April 18,1996, Page 3

►LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Inmate pleads for better treatment for offenders BYRON VAUGHN Plainfield, IN I want to give a personal thanks to The Muncie Times for being a community paper that has taken on the needs of the people of Muncie and its surrounding areas. You have also allowed prisoners to express themselves, because being in prison doesn’t have to keep one from making a difference in the outside world. The media, other than community papers, would like to keep our thoughts separated, because of the true education of experience witnessed within the power structure of society. For much too long, the prison power structure has had control over the “news media.” This has led to the total disregard of poor prisoners and their families. So you don’t think this is just another letter coming from behind prison walls with no meaning, let’s look at how this plan has taken its toll. We, the people of Indiana, have caused this terrible situation by assuming our elected politicians would be concerned about our best interests. The plight of prisoners and their families brings the need for this letter, because our state government has failed the poor. The tool that was used against us was lack of knowledge. That’s why there is a need for the communities to support our organization. Prisoners Committee for Better Relations, Inc. (PCBR). It’s time our elected politicians understand these families translate into vast voting power in communities throughout the state. We must come together as a unit. We challenge the families and loved ones of incarcerated men and women to get involved with PCBR. We must take a format to our politicians, because every time they run for election they let it be known that only through our vote did they gain their position. It’s time to realize we’re a part of the injustice and the reality of our own situation, if we continue to disregard our power as citizens. The system keeps talking about the need to build more prisons. This only creates jobs in the rural communities, while our urban communities continue to suffer. This is just the beginning of what we hope will be the start of a series to get us ready for the upcoming election so that our youth don’t continue to fall through the cracks and end up in the judicial system.

Premier LABEL CO., INC. 1205 EAST WASHINGTON ST, MUNCIE, INDIANA 47305 • 317-289-5000 CUSTOM PRINTED PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABELS “A man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life. ” — MuhammedAli

Ball Memorial Hospital Blood Bank Mon.-Fri. 8 am to 6 pm Sat. 9 am to 2 pm Call 74?’-3219 for an appointment

ELECT

A. SHICK Republican for COUNTY COMMISSIONER District Two “FOR HONEST GOVERNMENT” Paid for by Robert Shick for County Commissioner, Robert Shick, Treasurer