Re “Should a parent be kept out of jail?’’ (Metro, Sept. 25): The proposed prison-diversion program for primary caregivers is a great idea, except that it would be blatant and unjust discrimination based on family status. Those who have remained childless should not go to prison, rather than to a diversion program, simply because they have used birth control. Perhaps they’ve realized their lives are out of control and have opted not to bring a child into that situation. Is that a choice we want to punish? And what of the infertile — should we really impose a relatively harsher sentence on them?

I am all for diversion for many nonviolent offenses, applied in a nondiscriminatory manner.

Riley Hart

Arlington