Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane
Locking Up Kids Not Okay
RECEIVED Tue., March 6, 2007
Dear Editor,
The problem with the T. Don Hutto Residential Center situation is not that we are locking up children there, but that some of us think locking up children, even toddlers is OK [“National Spotlight Shines on Detention Center,” News, Feb. 16]. Yes, babies behind bars. Are toddlers in leg irons next? Rep. John Carter says that the residents at T. Don Hutto get humane treatment. Sounds like he’s talking about dogs and cats in an animal shelter. Never in our history have we incarcerated little children, even babies. We’ve had debtor’s prison and stocks that shackle adults to be teased and taunted and other failed mechanisms for detention and punishment. But we have never locked up children. What is happening to coarsen us so much that we don’t react with outrage?
The problem with the T. Don Hutto Residential Center situation is not that we are locking up children there, but that some of us think locking up children, even toddlers is OK [“National Spotlight Shines on Detention Center,” News, Feb. 16]. Yes, babies behind bars. Are toddlers in leg irons next? Rep. John Carter says that the residents at T. Don Hutto get humane treatment. Sounds like he’s talking about dogs and cats in an animal shelter. Never in our history have we incarcerated little children, even babies. We’ve had debtor’s prison and stocks that shackle adults to be teased and taunted and other failed mechanisms for detention and punishment. But we have never locked up children. What is happening to coarsen us so much that we don’t react with outrage?
Billie Reaney
