Spend Less Money on Convicts on More on Their Victims

In the state of Oregon, it will cost roughly $1 million to house a prisoner for 28 years. In contrast, victims receive a paltry $500 maximum for life. Telmate, the only company in the country to offer phone calls, video chatting and email services to prisoners, is a private company that profits from murders, rapists and child molesters. While many states receives some cut of Telmate's profits, no money is given to victims. There should be a nationwide shift to focus on how to offer more comprehensive and better services for victims. We have to continue working, paying for health insurance and raising our children, with almost no help from the convicted or the state. As a mother who lost one of her children to homicide, I've experienced these inequities first-hand.