Dear Editor,

If Professor Andre Haughton is, in fact, an employee of The University of the West Indies (UWI), I see no issue with him using his professional letterhead to write a character reference for me, for Ackeme “Chronic Law” Campbell, or for anyone else, regardless of an alleged criminal offence.

A character reference tells what you know about someone’s honesty, discipline, respectability, trustworthiness, or non-violent nature.

It is a universal fact that crime is an essential ingredient of all civilised societies. Likewise, punishment for crimes and rehabilitation are equally important for the maintenance of stability, growth, prosperity, and civilisation.

I must again emphasise that a crime is any behaviour that attracts a fine or imprisonment. Crime, I believe, is, therefore, important for the continued preservation and maintenance of norms and values. Haughton, as a professor, is carrying out his duties as one who understands all, if not more, than what is written herein.

If The UWI is, in fact, an institution of higher learning, I see no problem with Haughton’s humanitarian act as a social scientist.

Michael Spence

micspen2@hotmail.com