Prisons - my God

fabsroman · #1 08-14-2007, 12:01 AM

I'm watching something on National Geographic tonight about prisons and what goes on in them. It is utterly nuts. There are gangs. There are drugs. There is violence. What there isn't any of, is work. These guys hang around all day long doing absolutely nothing except planning how to beat the system. There is something definitely wrong with the system.

One guy has been sentenced to 200 years for 8 charges of armed robbery. Hence, he is never going to get out. Out of 18 months in prison, he spent almost all of it but 2 weeks on lock down. What the heck is going on with that? This guy stabs somebody, and his sentence is extended. HELLO. How can you extend a 200 year sentence? This guy could kill everybody in the prison and what would his punishment be? How can the prisons control people that have life sentences?

This is completely nuts. What is really insane is that the inmates state all the time that the prisons are not rehabilitative. So, why don't we make them so hard on the criminals that the criminals will not want to come back?

No wonder we have so many repeat offenders. According to the program, 50% of the inmates would be back again. The entire country should watch this program so that the law abiding citizens can see that this is a serious issue that should be addressed by our leaders and thought about at voting time.

gd357 · #2 08-14-2007, 12:06 AM

Yeah, the days of work gang is over, and it's a shame. 10 years of hard labor with no pay would be enough to straighten most people out (or so I would think). So instead they have time to organize drug rings, plan and execute murders (although that's one less gang member draining tax dollars usually), and other things of the kind. And yet no one has put much thought into the failings of the system.

gd

skeet · #3 08-14-2007, 12:24 AM

A C L U

and that ain't no joke

Hard labor is cruel and unusual punishment...sheesh!!

fabsroman · #4 08-14-2007, 01:18 AM

So, does that mean that people that are subjected to hard labor to make a living are subjected to cruel and unusual punishment? I don't think so. These guys should be forced to build schools, roads, etc. Heck, they can plant trees on government property throughout the land. For all I care, they can dig a hole and fill it back up every day.

M.T. Pockets · #5 08-14-2007, 08:40 AM

It makes me want to watch Cool Hand Luke to see what prisons used to be like.

GoodOlBoy · #6 08-15-2007, 09:23 AM

Update on Joe Arpaio

TO THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH JOE ARPAIO

HE IS THE MARICOPA ARIZONA COUNTY SHERIFF AND HE KEEPS GETTING ELECTED OVER AND OVER

THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY:
Sheriff Joe Arpaio
(In Arizona )
who created the
" Tent City Jail":

He has jail meals down to 40 cents a serving and charges the inmates for them.

He stopped smoking and porno magazines in the jails.
Took away their weights. Cut off all but "G" movies.
He started chain gangs so the inmates could do free work on county and city projects.

Then He Started
Chain Gangs For Women
So He Wouldn't Get
Sued For Discrimination.

He took away cable TV Until he found out there was A Federal Court Order that Required Cable TV For Jails.So He Hooked Up The Cable TV Again Only Let In The Disney Channel And The Weather Channel.

When asked why the weather channel
He Replied,
So They Will Know
How Hot It's Gonna Be
While They Are Working
ON My Chain Gangs.

He Cut Off Coffee Since It Has Zero Nutritional Value.
When the inmates complained, he told them,
"This Isn't The Ritz/Carlton.
If You Don't Like It, Don't Come Back."

He bought Newt Gingrich' lecture series on videotape that he pipes into the jails.

When asked by a reporter if he had any lecture series by a Democrat, he replied that a democratic lecture series might explain why a lot of the inmates were in his jails in the first place.

More On The Arizona Sheriff:

With Temperatures Being Even Hotter Than Usual In Phoenix (116 Degrees Just Set A New Record), the Associated Press Reports: About 2,000 Inmates Living In A Barbed-Wire-Surrounded Tent Encampment At The Maricopa County Jail Have Been Given Permission To Strip Down To Their Government-Issued Pink Boxer Shorts.
On Wednesday, hundreds of men wearing boxers were either curled up on their bunk beds or chatted in the tents, which reached 138 Degrees Inside The Week Before.

Many Were Also Swathed In Wet, Pink Towels As Sweat Collected On Their Chests And Dripped Down To Their PINK SOCKS.

"It Feels Like We Are In A Furnace," Said James Zanzot, An Inmate Who Has Lived In The TENTS for 1 year. "It's Inhumane."

Joe Arpaio, the tough-guy sheriff who created the tent city and long ago started making his prisoners wear pink, and eat bologna sandwiches, is not one bit sympathetic.
He said Wednesday that he told all of the inmates:
"It's 120 Degrees In Iraq And Our Soldiers Are Living In Tents Too, And They Have To Wear Full Battle Gear,
But They Didn't Commit Any Crimes, So Shut Your Damned Mouths!"

Way To Go, Sheriff!
Maybe if all prisons were like this one there would be a lot less crime and/or repeat offenders Criminals should be punished for their crimes - not live in luxury until it's time for their parole, only to go out and commit another crime so they can get back in to live on taxpayers money and enjoy things taxpayers can't afford to have for themselves.

Sheriff Joe
was just re-elected Sheriff in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Recieved this in email the other day and thought it was pertenant to the post.

GoodOlBoy

denton · #7 08-15-2007, 10:17 AM

I used to have a church assignment that took me to the Nevada State Prison fairly often. I quickly concluded that many inmates simply expected prison time as part of their lifestyle. It's free room and board.

One large part of the population is mean as heck, with a room-temperature IQ.

Lilred · #8 08-15-2007, 11:11 AM

Dont git me started....
and what is with federal law fer prisons to have cable tv????
That whole thing preturbs me so bad....that I am gonna keep my mouth shut..cause this here is a family site.

Dan Morris · #9 08-15-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GoodOlBoy
Update on Joe Arpaio

TO THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH JOE ARPAIO

HE IS THE MARICOPA ARIZONA COUNTY SHERIFF AND HE KEEPS GETTING ELECTED OVER AND OVER

THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY:
Sheriff Joe Arpaio
(In Arizona )
who created the
" Tent City Jail":

He has jail meals down to 40 cents a serving and charges the inmates for them.

He stopped smoking and porno magazines in the jails.
Took away their weights. Cut off all but "G" movies.
He started chain gangs so the inmates could do free work on county and city projects.

Then He Started
Chain Gangs For Women
So He Wouldn't Get
Sued For Discrimination.

He took away cable TV Until he found out there was A Federal Court Order that Required Cable TV For Jails.So He Hooked Up The Cable TV Again Only Let In The Disney Channel And The Weather Channel.

When asked why the weather channel
He Replied,
So They Will Know
How Hot It's Gonna Be
While They Are Working
ON My Chain Gangs.

He Cut Off Coffee Since It Has Zero Nutritional Value.
When the inmates complained, he told them,
"This Isn't The Ritz/Carlton.
If You Don't Like It, Don't Come Back."

He bought Newt Gingrich' lecture series on videotape that he pipes into the jails.

When asked by a reporter if he had any lecture series by a Democrat, he replied that a democratic lecture series might explain why a lot of the inmates were in his jails in the first place.

More On The Arizona Sheriff:

With Temperatures Being Even Hotter Than Usual In Phoenix (116 Degrees Just Set A New Record), the Associated Press Reports: About 2,000 Inmates Living In A Barbed-Wire-Surrounded Tent Encampment At The Maricopa County Jail Have Been Given Permission To Strip Down To Their Government-Issued Pink Boxer Shorts.
On Wednesday, hundreds of men wearing boxers were either curled up on their bunk beds or chatted in the tents, which reached 138 Degrees Inside The Week Before.

Many Were Also Swathed In Wet, Pink Towels As Sweat Collected On Their Chests And Dripped Down To Their PINK SOCKS.

"It Feels Like We Are In A Furnace," Said James Zanzot, An Inmate Who Has Lived In The TENTS for 1 year. "It's Inhumane."

Joe Arpaio, the tough-guy sheriff who created the tent city and long ago started making his prisoners wear pink, and eat bologna sandwiches, is not one bit sympathetic.
He said Wednesday that he told all of the inmates:
"It's 120 Degrees In Iraq And Our Soldiers Are Living In Tents Too, And They Have To Wear Full Battle Gear,
But They Didn't Commit Any Crimes, So Shut Your Damned Mouths!"

Way To Go, Sheriff!
Maybe if all prisons were like this one there would be a lot less crime and/or repeat offenders Criminals should be punished for their crimes - not live in luxury until it's time for their parole, only to go out and commit another crime so they can get back in to live on taxpayers money and enjoy things taxpayers can't afford to have for themselves.

Sheriff Joe
was just re-elected Sheriff in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Recieved this in email the other day and thought it was pertenant to the post.

GoodOlBoy

And the people keep reelecting him.Frankly, to me a pen term
was not designed to be a PH trip!!!!!!
Dan

deermeister · #10 08-22-2007, 01:50 AM

I live in Jackson County, home to Southern Michigan Prison, the largest walled prison in the U.S. The big topic this summer was an attempt to put in air conditioning! Apparently, the inmates compained that it was too hot, and some liberal decided to make it an issue. The debate raged back and forth in the local newspaper, and even included letters to the editor from inmates, complaining about how difficult it was for them.

Difficult?!? How difficult is it to get up every morning, have someone cook and clean and do your laundry for you, while you lounge around chain smoking, watching cable TV and trolling for your next "girlfriend"?

The inmates sure as heck aren't going to pay for it, our governor can't be trusted with the bottle deposit account, 1/3 of the county is either out of work or marking time in a minimum wage job somewhere, so the burden of the cost of this would fall on... guess who?

I don't have A/C in my house, yet I'm expected to pay for it for a bunch of people who screwed up so bad over and over that they ended up there? (This would include, by the way, the guy who shot and killed my wife's uncle.) I don't think so.

jon lynn · #11 08-22-2007, 08:15 AM

Prison should be soiliary confinment, no TV at all, no exercise yard, no acess to lawyers to endlessly appeal that 'He wasn't of sound mind' when he killed the whole family, I hate to think he was in his right mind at the time. And for the love of God NO COMPUTERS and internet acess. The Japanese have a good system. All based on self disipline.

But I have a friend who works with the FBI, and his sister was a prison guard, she told total horror stories on what it's like in womens prisons, I could just imagine what it's like in a mens prison. She said the prisoners run the place, no question. You risk getting blood (with a chance of it being HIV infected), urine and feces thrown at you. If (as a guard) you strike a prisoner, and the camera didn't catch the inmate doing wrong, you get charged with attacking a federal prisoner, lose job and pension prospects.

I saw many documentrys about Joe Arpaio, from PRO & CON. IMHO Joe Arpaio is a punk in office, show boat, and is not interested in reabilitation,or justice, but the attention. He has SOME (NO not all I agree, in a no win situation), good ideas, but county levil crimes, and in one case bad check writing, he is a bit too GUNG-HO from the back of that desk. His midsection is bigger than mine. IF his system was applied on the federal levil, then I think it would serve a cause, for the truly voilent, evil criminals.

He has his 'tough' guy arrest and jail policy, but offers nothing for the end of the time served. Help them find jobs at the county levil. Yes some peolpe need help. Although a crime, some (just some DWI's) are a cry for help. Some people are at the end of thier rope. I will say the numbers are very low, true, but he gets his rocks off tossing them in jail quickly.

I do, however, like the fact he puts druggies in the work tents. That is a very good way to dry out, get the crap out of your system, he ought to offer a system for the weed smokers and drinkers, that when you get out you can get your life straight.

As a veteran and Gulf War vet I can say :

"It's 120 Degrees In Iraq And Our Soldiers Are Living In Tents Too, And They Have To Wear Full Battle Gear,
But They Didn't Commit Any Crimes, So Shut Your Damned Mouths!"

That ain't got crap to do with the situation. I voulenteered, re-enlisted, then re-enlisted again. It was my job and duty to be there.

I hate the Republican Party, I hate the Democrats too, the 50/50 system we have Urks me, and I hate thinking I am a middle-man, I secretly wish Ross P. would come back (just kidding), but you knew this from before (on my Hunt Chat Party idea): "but He bought Newt Gingrich' lecture series on videotape that he pipes into the jails.

If he really wanted to torture them, play Dr Laura or Rosie O'donnell, they really make my blood boil.

Andy L · #12 08-22-2007, 08:39 AM

I know from working with criminals that some make prison their home. I know many would much rather be in prison than county jail, and several that would rather be in prison than on the outside.

In most county jails, around here anyhow, its structured, you cant smoke, its impossible to get drugs in, for the most part and you have contact with very few people. In prison, you can get just about anything you want and smoking is allowed. There are heirarchies and its just a disfunctional community. Some cant live on the outside after they have become institutionalized.

I know one person in particular that is about 25yrs old. Hes been in trouble since he was 16. He gets out, goes to rehab, cleans up and then screws up again and goes back to the pen. Its a vicious cycle. Hes running wild right as we speak and Im sure he will be back in prison soon. He told me that he cant stand the outside world. In prison, he doesnt have to worry about anything. He knows the rules and how to skirt the ones he doesnt want to obey. Its easier to get meth in there without getting caught. And if you get caught, what are they going to do?

I know this well about him, hes my partners grandson. Sad.

This boy needs a chain gang. Chain gangs would change alot of minds. No doubt about it. Quicker executions would change alot of crap as well. The bleeding hearts in this country are going to bring us to our knees.

TheeBadOne · #13 08-22-2007, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jon lynn
He has his 'tough' guy arrest and jail policy, but offers nothing for the end of the time served. Help them find jobs at the county levil. Yes some peolpe need help. Although a crime, some (just some DWI's) are a cry for help. Some people are at the end of thier rope. I will say the numbers are very low, true, but he gets his rocks off tossing them in jail quickly.

...he ought to offer a system for the weed smokers and drinkers, that when you get out you can get your life straight.

You do realize of course that he is "Law Enforcement", and that an entire different department, Social Services, is charged with the duties you speak of?

jon lynn · #14 08-22-2007, 11:18 AM

BadOne: Yeh I know, but the guy really rubed me wrong. His whole demenior was flash, and not civil justice ( as I saw it). But with his elected clout he could do something, or make suggestions. And where does law enforcment call for Newt Gingrich' lecture series? (I had to throw that in).

Critch · #15 08-22-2007, 10:59 PM

My Dad was an assistant warden at Ft Pillow Prison in West Tennessee in the 1940s. The prisoners raised their own food, raised their own cotton, picked it, sold it etc, if they were good, they could be rented out to farmers and got to keep half their money in an account till they got out...when the got out they were given new clothes, shoes, etc, and help finding a job, yes, generally farm or labor, but a job.

The really bad ones were on chain gangs, if you broke too many rules you were on the gang, but he told me he rarely saw too many repeat offenders after a few months on a chain gang.

Our local jail is ran very well, it's not a tent city, but it is sparse, but safe for prisoners, food is good, some TV, games etc for good prisoners, and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg per prisoner.

But I am like a lot of people, I am tired of prisons being a breeding ground for more crime, frankly, we have hundreds of islands in the Aleutians that need to be colonzed, maybe an American Botany Bay would work for some of these folks...it won't happen, but we can dream.

A good friend of mine is a guard at Jackson Prison in Michigan, he tells me horror stories.. Here in MIssouri we have the death penalty and it is used enough to get their attention, what do you do with a guy in Michigan who is there for life for murder and he kills another prisoner or a guard?