Frustrated with repeat offenders

A young friend of Exhibit A, Brian Purnell, wrote a letter to us that raises questions about the influence of adults, effectiveness of the legal system and more.

Brian wrote in response to an Uncommon Law item: “New Hampshire Man Arrested for 152nd Time.”

“I don’t think this man should be released after this time in prison. I really think he should get life or the death penalty,” wrote Brian, who says he thinks a life sentence for Paul Baldwin would be better.

“This man has crimes such as theft, receiving stolen property, arson and criminal mischief on his record. Why can’t this man think twice or the one hundred fifty-first time? I bet this will encourage teens who’re on the wrong side of life such as gangbanging or selling drugs,” continues Brian, who’s an 11th-grader at Baltimore Freedom Academy.

“How can this man steal a $1.99 can of beer? He probably didn’t have a job. This and all the other crimes won’t give him a job. His whole life is a living hell.

“The thing that’s wrong is that he didn’t have a lawyer in his trial. He probably couldn’t afford one will all the crimes on his rap sheet.”

Good points, Brian. Nothing the legal system does deters this guy from committing crimes. He even jokes about it in court.

But with his ever-lengthening criminal record he’s not likely to get a decent job. Why else would he risk arrest to steal a 24-ounce can of beer?

So, what should we do? Lock him up for the rest of his life for relatively minor crimes? Wait for him to commit a major felony? Sure, persuading him to mend his ways would be better, but how?

While that habitual offender annoys prosecutors in Portsmouth, N.H., we in Baltimore track the homicide rate the way other cities watch sports standings.

Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld announced that, during a surge in killings, city police confiscated 87 guns and charged 37 people for weapons offenses during the first week of the year. We can hope those 87 guns won’t end lives, but how many more are out there in the hands of people who don’t fear arrest, respect anyone or show signs of hope?

Thanks for the letter, Brian. Maybe your generation will get us out of this.