Dear Editor,

THE tragedy that resulted in the horrible deaths of 17 Guyanese at the seriously overcrowded Georgetown Prison this week makes me wonder if we should not explore the wisdom and possibility of adjusting the sentencing system to allow for ‘community service’ instead of imprisonment for relatively minor and not-too-dangerous breaches of the law.I respectfully suggest that the powers-that-be should examine this alternative form of punishment, which is likely to have the same, if not better, effect than incarceration at significantly less financial and ‘other costs’ to the society.
Regards,
NOWRANG PERSAUD