To the Editor:

If there is one underlying theme I keep seeing over and over again in media coverage on Sheriff Hodgson’s jails, it’s that the criminals are the victims, and the victims and officers are the criminals.

It seems like every story I read, watch or hear is about the poor prisoners and how they say the jail isn’t nice enough or fun enough.

I applaud Sheriff Hodgson for his “rehabilitation over recreation” approach to the jails, as I heard him say on the radio last week. Taxpayers pay a lot already for inmates’ food, medical care, programming and other things. We shouldn’t have to pay more to make jail more fun.

I grew up in a time when people that were incarcerated gave up luxuries, but now it seems we allow more rights and luxuries to law breakers than those who obey the law of the land.

Did the readers know that there is only one constitutionally empowered law enforcement officer? Sheriffs do not work for mayors, county executives or governors.

They work for the people.

Established by the Constitution and elected by the people, sheriffs are the highest-ranking law enforcement officer in every town, city and county. The County Sheriff is the one who stands between the government and the people. During this upcoming election, we have the opportunity to prayerfully consider the importance of our vote for Sheriff. Let’s consider with what party platforms the sheriff candidates align and how that will impact their actions on our behalf. Do they align with the party whose national platform has removed God and whose legislative agenda flies in the face of our Constitution?

This November, we have a chance to reelect a law and order sheriff, one who puts public safety first and who is tough on crime. Sheriff Tom Hodgson has my vote. From a public safety standpoint, I hope he has yours too.

Bob Bouley,

Dartmouth