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Submitted 7:12 p.m. EST
11.18.2014
Letter to the Editor

While offender (seen on your stats page), inmate, convict, etc are technically correct, they are too loaded to be used in a respectful manner.”

Lorie Goshin

Dear Editor:

First, let me share my excitement about your project. I very much look forward to seeing what good in-depth journalist can do in this area.

I want to encourage you going forward to always use person-first language. While offender (seen on your stats page), inmate, convict, etc are technically correct, they are too loaded to be used in a respectful manner and don't seem to fit well with your mission. Here's a link to a compelling open letter on the topic: http://www.southerncoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/NuLeadership-Language-Letter-2.pdf

Thank you for your important work! Lorie