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Originally Posted by MontyB You know I am just not certain I care, for as much as I believe people should be afforded every opportunity to prove themselves innocent I also believe that people convicted of crimes are sent to prison not just to get them out of the publics presence but also as a punishment and as such their time in prison should not be an enjoyable experience.
So other than applying it to those awaiting trial I really don't have an issue with what this guy is doing in terms of prisoner treatment however I do think his personal activities are a lot on the dodgy side so who knows a few years from now he may find himself on the receiving end of his own system. |
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In the US, the basis of our legal system is INNOCENT until proven GUILTY. That means for *some* of the prisoners they haven't been convicted of any crime yet, though the system in Arizona is already treating them as if they were convicted. Thats neither right, nor smart.
For the rest, as Gilbert and Sullivan once wrote "Let the Punishment fit the crime". I am not saying they should live the life of luxury, but depriving people of coffee, and other little things that have NO consequence on the prison is cruel, especially when those inmates are serving minor crimes like DUI, Drunk and Disorderly, or unpaid parking tickets. Remember this is COUNTY jail, not State or Federal Prison.
There is a safety concern too. Prisons are very stressful places, you push people too hard and they will snap; hurt others or themselves. This has even happened to inmates with no prior violent tendencies. Some people cannot deal with the stress of incarceration. So by running a pissant county jail like its Stalag 19 the sheriff is putting other inmates, guards, and workers at risk. And he has already been sued because of it.
What is the sheriff trying to prove? Not to come back to jail? If you've ever seen a jail, you don't need to grind in the heel to prove that. Remember these inmates are people who couldn't pay bail, are awaiting trial, and those convicted of minor offences.