In the Oct. 18 online Columbian story “Rock Creek woman sent to prison for fatal crash,” Pamela Lynne Gibson, a pregnant 36-year-old mother, was convicted of criminal negligent homicide and sentenced to 21 months in prison because she ran a red light, which caused a fatal crash. It is very unfortunate that the fatal accident occurred, but what is the purpose of a 21-month prison sentence? Is not the consequence for her negligence already sentenced to her through the guilt she will live with for the rest of her life? If this really was an accident, what is she being punished for?
In another report, a driver was involved in a collision with a motorcyclist, causing him to fall into traffic, ultimately killing him. The driver was ticketed for following too closely.
Two unfortunate events with strikingly different “punishments.” I think we may need to revisit the goals of our prison system. If prison is meant to rehabilitate, shouldn’t many more negligent citizens involved in fatal accidents be sent to prison to receive this “rehabilitation.” Prison doesn’t seem to improve “accidents” like gun negligence or common vehicle accidents. So what is it we’re really after by locking individuals up?
Harris Baciuc
Brush Prairie
