Stuck between a rock and love

Dating is a serious campus issue. With so many aspiring individuals on the scene, it's difficult to make a match that will cooperate with one's busy schedule. Still, human companionship is a psychological necessity, capable of making one's work turn out even better than if it was done alone. Everybody, it seems, needs a muse. So what is one to do?\nMany of our worries can now be put behind us all thanks to Todd Muffoletto, the innovative owner of the Web site www.womenbehindbars.com.\nNo, this isn't a site you would be ashamed of viewing in a campus computer lab. It's the answer to all young jet-setting gents out there who just want someone to confide in, but don't have the time to take her out to Applebee's on a Sunday night.\nWomen Behind Bars is a professional service which provides personal pages, pictures and profiles for women who are incarcerated in prisons all over America.\nThe site offers this description of their aims: "These female prisoners are looking for love, marriage, pen pals, and a good solid relationship with men and women in the free world … Our mission is to bring men and women together with an opportunity to enhance the lives of both." \nTheir best service: "Women Behind Bars host(s) free Web pages for ladies!"\nAt least they have class.\nOverall, I think their mission is noble. They are looking to make the best of a situation gone awry. I salute that. That is, however, until I searched further into their pages.\nWith a click of the mouse, you can enter into the "New Ladies" page. What do we find? Some wonderfully helpful deconstructions of who these women actually are. Instead of names, faces and interests, the first choice we get to make are these: "New white 20-29 year old ladies added … New black 30-39 year old ladies added … 10 new Hispanic ladies …"\nNeedless to say, that was a little creepy. \nA virtual meat market of women, each tagged with their proper race and age description. Frankly, I was surprised they didn't include an expiration date.\nFor a mere $3, plus a $5 surcharge, you can gain access to as many of these women's addresses as you like. Increase your chances with more dough and soon you too can find the woman of your dreams.\nNot satisfied? Well, are you an avid fisher? If women aren't enough for you, the makers of the site offer to sell their self-compiled fishing journal. For just $7 you can finally have a place to record water conditions and the lures you used, all in one convenient handbook.\nThere are, however, happy endings. The site proudly displays couples that have since married as a result of the site's matchmaking. Despite a Web-setup that makes choosing a mate similar to leafing through one's favorite fetish photos online, people have come away smiling and in love. \nThough a bit surreal, I think that ultimately they are out to do some good in this world. Yes, the site comes across as a bit extreme, but I guess we all make mistakes. Doesn't that seem to be the point?\nAn anonymous user perhaps sums up the experience best. His message appears crude, but ultimately heartfelt. Appropriate, I think, and perhaps then you can decide whether or not to visit.\n"You know what? i think you all are some wonderful people for doing this for wbb's. People make mistakes sometimes but there is always a chance for hope in their lives.......... so may god bless you all for creating this thing............... thank you........."