About Prison Conditions (long)

[Catty1]

Well...jaywalkers and folks with overdue tickets usually don't do time. There are others that do, and will be back on the streets - they aren't "hardened". Not everyone in jail is - that was my point, and that of others.

[sparks19]

I don't know... I don't think that just because you commit a low level crime you should get a cushy room at the ritz. You commited a crime. There would be no point to jail if it was pleasant.

They can go through therapy to be rehabilitated but i do not believe that they should get any kind of special treatment in prison. I mean... what is there to deter them from committing a crime again if jail is a walk in the park?

[Catty1]

The original column and responding letter did not say jail should be cushy...but that it should NOT be where the Maricopa Jail is.

Reread the letter to the editor in the first post, and look closely at the conditions there. Tent temperatures high enough to kill a dog? Rotting food?

a respected physician terminated his services to the Correctional Health Service earlier this year because the health care being delivered did not meet constitutional minimums.

Sheriff Arpaio commissioned researchers at Arizona State University to conduct a study. The researchers did so and concluded that the sheriff’s methods had no significant effect on recidivism...The results of the sheriff’s study are supported by information contained on the Public Safety Canada website. A research summary on that website states that “. . . harsher criminal justice sanctions had no deterrent effect on recidivism. On the contrary, punishment produced a slight (three per cent) increase in recidivism.”

I wonder if anyone so far has read the ENTIRE column and the ENTIRE reply. Harsh and inhumane punishment does NOT work.

[lizbud]

I've always liked Sheriff Joe's way of running his jail.

[shepgirl]

I read that article before and I also like the way he runs the jail. Jails today are more like a Spa . 3 great meals a day, libraries, time out for exercise, etc. Come on, these people are in jail for wrong doing, low level or not. I'll vote for that anytime. If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Bet when these guys get out of there they will think twice about doing something that will send them back.
We have people trying to set up a similar program for people on welfare who could be out working. To collect their cheques they are assigned jobs in the community, keeping the ditches and streets clean, helping the elderly, driving people to and from appts. , etc. Community work is always plentiful, this would help some people see how our tax dollars are spent. So much crying over this I don't know if it will be given a fair chance.

[sparks19]

I read that article before and I also like the way he runs the jail. Jails today are more like a Spa . 3 great meals a day, libraries, time out for exercise, etc. Come on, these people are in jail for wrong doing, low level or not. I'll vote for that anytime. If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Bet when these guys get out of there they will think twice about doing something that will send them back.
We have people trying to set up a similar program for people on welfare who could be out working. To collect their cheques they are assigned jobs in the community, keeping the ditches and streets clean, helping the elderly, driving people to and from appts. , etc. Community work is always plentiful, this would help some people see how our tax dollars are spent. So much crying over this I don't know if it will be given a fair chance.

Oh I LOVE this idea. if they can't FIND paying jobs then they will be giving community service jobs since the community are the ones that are technically paying their way.

[critter crazy]

Prisoners should be treated like the scum that they are. I Love Sherriff Joe and the way he runs things. Hands Down!

[blue]

If the prisoners dont like the heat Im sure we can fence in a couple a thousand acres as a private prison and let them loose up here.

[shepgirl]

Oh I LOVE this idea. if they can't FIND paying jobs then they will be giving community service jobs since the community are the ones that are technically paying their way.

Our city loves the idea also. But guess who the loudest protesters are....you got it...the people on welfare. Those of course that have no reason to be on in the first place but know how to play the systwm so well they live better than most working people. Hard to give up a free handout to earn your own living after being supported by other hard working people.
The community is fighting hard to make this work but these people come up with the most awesome threats, like lawsuits because they are being threatened by being asked to do a few menial jobs. Some declare health issues but have no proof, they will sue because they can't sleep at night worrying about this....lol. It just never ends...

[Catty1]

So...people on welfare are the same as those in jail?

I dated someone who went to prison for a short time. He had tasks, and earned $7 an hour to do them. These went towards paying off his fine, which shortened his jail stay. Good incentive to work. Minimum security.

Crime? Forgetting to renew his car insurance the year before, and he was nabbed when coming back from overseas through Canada customs.

Joe's jail would have been totally pointless.