Dauphin County Prison Inhumane Treatment Of Inmates, Especially Female Inmates Harrisburg Pennsylvania

I have created a petition on change.org in order to end the corruption at DCP. It needs to end. Please sign this petition and share it with all your friends and family!!

https://www.change.org/p/dauphin-county-district-attorney-stop-the-corruption-at-dcp?recruiter=586002443&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_facebook_responsive&utm_term=des-lg-no_src-no_msg&fb_ref=Default

Imagine you are a prominant well respected executive of a profitable company. You are married with children. Now imagine a female co-worker makes sexual advances on you. Imagine she tries to sleep with you. When you deny her, she feels rejected and self consciouss. To get back at you she claims you raped her, and/or sexually harassed her. One little detail adds up in her story, and you are arrested and put in jail. You are put into the same jail as CONVICTED rapists, murderes and criminals. Although you havn't even been put on trial yet and you are innocent, you will suffer through this horrible experience.

I can not believe you people who said that the prisoners should be happy with what they have. You would obviously change your opinion if you were ever unfortanate enough to experience prison. You people think you are above the law. You have no idea how easy it is to be incarcerated. You people act like you do no wrong. I'm sure you've driven drunk once, ran a red light, you might even have, god forbid, smoked pot. You are surely hipocrits.

What about the people suffering through jail for victemless crimes? What about the millions of Americans incarcerated for drug posession? Who are they hurting besides themselves? Do they deserve the harsh coditions of jails in America?

These people are forced into jail, and then put into debt for being held against their will. They are being charged 10 dollars a day on top of the 50 dollars a day that county jails get for inmates. Most county jails are a private business and actually make profitts off of their prisons while tax payers and inmates are paying for it.

I was incarcerated in DCP for a marijuana posession charge. If that was a sin. then let God punnish me. The conditions in this jail are horrible. To sum it up, inmates are constantly getting in fights over food because their is not nearly enough, and what their is, isn't fit for a dog to eat. People have actually been stabbed and beaten over food at this horrid nightmare of a place.

Also, the building of DCP itself has been condemned for years. The county pays thousands of your dollars in penatly fees for not following prison guidelines. The treatment at DCP is unfair, inhumane, digusting and an abobination.

(Also to whoever said that prison employees don't get paid enough, employees at county pirsons get paid atleast 50,000 a year, and almost double that at state prisons. The sad part is there are no job requirements to be a CO, and they are making more than our states teachers.)

The conditions at DCP are everything you'd heard and worse.

I'm so please to see another report on here. Let me start by telling you I have letters from inmates that confirm everything this report and the report from Diana say. I think it is sad to know our tax paying dollars are wasted!! I know and can prove DCP and the staff that run it don't see, to care or give the inmates answers . My brother is a current resident of DCP. No he is not perfect but does not deserve the treatment he is recieveing there. I also want it to be known I will not stop until something changes there.

My brother has been written up for things he had no part in. He has also been denied visitis for 2 months now and when you call the Deputy Warden you get nothing but lies!!! They staff at DCP constantly send you in circles and never seem to know what is going on so they make up something that is far from the truth!! Not only has he not been getting his visits but also has to deal with a cellmate who has not made to shower or change clothes in 2 weeks. How is that sanitary for anyone in the prison? My brother has sent several request to the warden, counselors, deputy warden, etc. in refernce to his visits, phone calls, ridiculous write ups that he was not involved in and yet still no reponse. So I ask you are the CO's throwing them away? Or is the warden simply sleeping on the job? Let me also ad my brother was to be transfered to work release months ago and still has not made it there. One would think the jail would want to recieve some of it's money. The inmates have pet mice living in their cells. The day room is crowded with inmates waiting on beds. The are sleeping in the middle of the day room because the jail is over crowded!!

I wonder why inmate assults are up? Could it becasue they are over populating? It's time the DCP owns up to it's mistakes and makes a change. Aren't the inmates being punished enough for their mistakes? Why is ok to keep treating them like animals? From a concerned sister, Courtney P.s. anyone who has more info with proof to ad to this please email me

and I can tell you very much so this story was not exaggerated. The conditions there really are subhuman and honestly if i was there for months or a year I'd probably find a way to commit suicide. The food there is really just slop and the trays it's served on is just like how the OP said...

I'm all for correctional facilities being used correctly but what is one of the biggest scams in America is the Prison Industrial Complex, these are the people that make sure marijuana stays illegal, that harsher drug laws get enacted all so more people goto jail for longer for "committing crimes" that are fully consensual against themselves... These are people that receive money per head in prison, so they will stack them to the rafters so they can get every available tax dollar they can and then continue to do more to make sure more people become criminals because it serves their pocket.

You people that are going to sit here and say well that will teach them to not go back that they shouldn't be criminals are absolutely fools. The majority of the entire prison population is there due to usage of drugs. Any citizen that truly believes another citizen doesn't have the right to ingest or inhale any substance they choose is a complete sheep and our founding fathers would be disgusted with you. Treating people this way and locking them up with true criminals will guarantee these people will return to jail because you become so stigmatized for having been in jail that you are treated different.

Getting out of prison isn't the end of your punishment like it should be. No one treats you like an average person after you have "done your time" they treat you like you are going to rape there children. When you have such a huge amount of the populace willing to believe this guility until proven inncoent and that prior convicts are bad people it will be a never ending cycle.

Of course this is what the prison industrial complex wants... this is why the prison industrial complex is one of the fastest growing industries in America and infinitely profitable because they profit off not supplying the most basic of needs to the people it is their job to provide a sanitized living condition and complete the basic need for nutrition.

I know darn well each and every one of you here has made mistakes, we all do. Some more serious than others but let me quote this.... let the person with no sin cast the first stone.
What is wrong with you people these are human beings and has all comassion in mankind just disapperaed?
You have NO IDEA what your talking about. You sit back and judge people you have absolulty NO IDEA about so get off your high horses and learn some compassion.
Jesus was a prisoner if youll remeber
Matthew 25 : read the entire chapter here and then tell me your opinion is the same!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These people are human beings just like you and me and while they did break the law they do deserve to be treated as humans and not animals!

I seriously wonder about victims of the crimes committed against them by these inmates. They had a right to be safe, protected, and happy and these inmates took it away from them. They don't deserve anything more than what they are getting now. I do feel for someone who is in there for the wrong reasons,but most of them probably committed a crime against someone out there and took their rights away. If someone raped, robbed, destroyed my property or myself, stole, etc...from me? I hope they go to this place. This is perfect...they sure wouldn't want to return to this place, so they will keep their noses clean. I think they are doing an excellent job. What about the rights of the victims?

my boyfriend is in dcp he was ok in there for a month i mean had no problems or nothing i asked him about these things that happen in there that i have been reading about he said none of them are true when i went to his court hearing and i heard other inmates try to tell the judges about these people beating on him and what not i kind of felt bad but i wasnt sure what to believe my boyfriend said these things dont happen at least where he is at now they put him in the hole for "fighting" which im not sure is all true because of the fact that he is not a fighter not even a criminal he shouldnt even be in jail it was a honest mistake and now he has to sit and suffer in trhe hole and heaven knows what there doing to him and im worried cause he's not a big boy very small and what not but im just very concerned because if this stuff is true then they are treating my boyfriend very bad and that worries me i dont care what any one says my boyfriend aint a bad person and shouldnt go through these things

Our Men and Women in the Armed Forces suffer worse conditions than any individual housed in any prison or jail in this country and these individuals are PROTECTING YOU RIGHTS AND DYING TO DO THAT!
So quit bitching - be glad that if you commit a crime in this country at least you get a bed, access to a Physician, 3 meals a day, accesss to phones and tv
Stacey
PS My Grandfathers both served in WWI and WWII
Don't do the crime if you cannot do the time!

Our Men and Women in the Armed Forces suffer worse conditions than any individual housed in any prison or jail in this country and these individuals are PROTECTING YOU RIGHTS AND DYING TO DO THAT!
So quit bitching - be glad that if you commit a crime in this country at least you get a bed, access to a Physician, 3 meals a day, accesss to phones and tv
Stacey
PS My Grandfathers both served in WWI and WWII
Don't do the crime if you cannot do the time!

Our Men and Women in the Armed Forces suffer worse conditions than any individual housed in any prison or jail in this country and these individuals are PROTECTING YOU RIGHTS AND DYING TO DO THAT!
So quit bitching - be glad that if you commit a crime in this country at least you get a bed, access to a Physician, 3 meals a day, accesss to phones and tv
Stacey
PS My Grandfathers both served in WWI and WWII
Don't do the crime if you cannot do the time!

Why should inmates be fed better then the men and women in the Armed Forces serving in the field? I have lived on Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) for days and there were times when I didn't have the "luxury" of heating them. There were days when I've been tired and hungry but couldn't stop to rest or eat. Perhaps if prisons were a places of punishment we wouldn't have the current problem of repeat offenders.

These statements are all true. As an ex-employee i was very surprised at the conditions of this prison. Roaches, rats and filth are the norm. Also, the food is not fit for a dog to eat! Treatment of inmates discusted me because you are to treat them as if they were caged animals, nothing more! Granted, this is prison and not a vacation, but they are still human and it was not (in my opinion to judge them) i was there to control and correct! When i told my superior this his comment was, "this is how we are". Needless to say, i lasted 2 weeks and told them that they couldn't pay me enough to be a part of "their group". I refuse to conform to a system that promotes the type of abuse these inmates are subjected to!

Okay first of all have any of you ever heard the RIGHT that we have as AMERICAN citizens to a fair trial, we are innocent until proven guilty, whether you are sitting in jail waiting for trial or not. So you mean to tell me if someone is arrested, incarcerated and awaiting trial (NOT CONVICTED, BECAUSE YOU ARE USUALLY NOT CONVICTED FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS AFTER BEING ARRESTED) that they (as well as everyone else) do not deserve BASIC HUMAN NEEDS!!!

If you are arrested for a crime you may have to sit in jail for some time before you even get to see a judge and recieve a bail, and what about the people who cannot make bail? Well, they should not have been accused of a crime then? Are any of you who disagree with basic (not luxurious) humane treatment of inmates American? Would you like your rights taken from you? You are assuming people to be guilty before proven so and suggesting they are not people and worthy of something.

Just because you do commit a crime and go to jail, you are still human. What if someone is in jail for some stupid little mistake or driving on a suspended license that they didn't know was suspended? Oh, now they are less than human? I've got news for you IT is not a free ride or as great as you'd like to believe, even the better jails are still jail. If you have never been in or had someone close to you in that situation, no you do not have any grounds to comment because you are going by what you think and are responding in an ignorant way. No one is asking for a caterer or down comforters in every cell, but you should not have to be unwillingly exposed to diseases whether foodborne (when you have no other source of food or way to provide for yourself), or due to things like blood and urine on linens.

What if an inmate is pregnant, is it the child's fault, should they suffer and be fed raw possibly disease ridden food? Or be exposed to life threatening bacteria? Often medical units in jails are worse then regular population and I don't know anyone who ever TRIED to go to medical units, unless you want to sit next to an inmate who is coughing up blood on you or is coming down off heroin.

People should try to be more informed before submitting rebuttals against something they obviously know nothing about. Oh and for the record in New Jersey, at least, inmates have an account that is charged daily for their stay ($10) which prohibits them from receiving commissary until it is paid and goes to collections and can be taken from your tax refund if not paid as well as the 1000's of dollars in fines and surcharges and bail. Corrections babysitters are paid about $40/ hour with YOUR money to do nothing so take that up with the state officials if tax dollars are such an issue. Believe me it is not a free ride that totals $300 a month, which can be equilvalent to someones share of rent outside of jail. Furthermore, they should never be called "correctional" facilities, that is the most ironic thing I have ever heard.

As an ex-correctional officer I can say this is insane. Think people. Inmates have 24 hours a day 7 days a week to think of ways to get what they want. We are guaranteed a job to go to, but it is up to us and our use of our training to be able to go home from said job. I am certified by the ACA (American Correctional Association) and also have certification and training as a deputy jailer. I treat EVERYONE with respect. Inmates are always sir or madam, partly from respect, partly because I don't care what their names are.

Inmates are reqired to keep their own living space clean, unless they consent to being a trustee. Trustees do whatever odd jobs they are told to do and in return they receive a shorter sentence. I never put more than a capful of bleach in a bucket of mop water. I actually had an inmate that didn't know this and they drank quite a bit of the water trying to get transported to the ER for a chance to escape or to see his family in the waiting room. We allowed combs (sorry, no brushes) but had to do a count of the combs because they can be made into weapons (or shanks). We remove brooms and mops after the floors are cleaned - one hour. A girl actually preformed an abortion with a broom stick one afternoon during clean-up. Inmates are only allowed one small bar of soap each (imagine the free soap from a hotel). I have actually seen a WORKING pistol made out of soap. Inmates are ALLOWED to watch TV IF they are good. If they get too loud we unplugged it from outside. The inmates also would have to have someone from their family bring in a TV, we didn't supply them and we didn't repair them. In Louisana the inmates were given the choice between the Playboy channel or air condidtioning and the vote came back with the majority in favor of the Playboy channel.

Asprin IS NOT medical attention. A headache is uncomfortable NOT life threatening. I transported females to the hospital for everything from constipation to STD's (yes constipation). I will admit that there are guards that aren't as respectful as I CHOSE to be, but that doesn't mean they were cruel. No one was allowed to break or even bend the rules on my watch. That also does't mean that I went out of my way to make anyone's life easier there either.

Prison/jail is a punishment. It is confinment. You do not get to decide what you are going to do and when. In my 6 years I knew of one person that was innocent. He ended up having to stay in jail for 6 months awaiting trial. He even had the head of the jail testify to his behavior while incarderated. In all of the six months he was there he NEVER lost his dignity. He also treated all of the employees as well as inmates with respect. Imagine that.

I've never been in jail, so therefore have never been mistreated there either. However, there are issues that should concern every person, whether they have been or expect to be in jail or not.

The thing here is WHY can the punishment meted out be in a form that, performed by any ordinary citizen, would be considered illegal or immoral?

It's already been pointed out that not every person sitting in these institutions has been convicted of ANY crime, minor or major. They are not separated from gen pop and treated any differently. Innocent until proven guilty? Not in this country. If you're arrested, the assumption is automatically that you must have done something wrong, so tough luck.

Next, guards are only there to keep the prisoners in? Then why so much corruption by the very people that are supposed to by 'guarding' our 'prisoners'? There is blackmail, inappropriate sexual conduct, embezzlement, assault...all committed by the STAFF! How can you rehabilitate the criminals when the staff gets away with the very same conduct that the inmates are locked up for?

I agree that we need to have prisons for locking down those that can't seem to follow societies rules, I just don't agree that by mistreating them and justifying it as 'punishment' is a moral thing to do. If we, as citizens, would be found guilty of wrong doing for the same behavior that is common place in the prisons, then the government should be held to the same standard!

And finally, it's really hard to watch someone justify the harshness of the punishment, meted out by the guards, when there are so many stories about law enforcement officers getting special treatment (which allows them to NOT be placed in one of these facilities, correct??) when they get into trouble themselves. In our area alone we've got a cop up on charges of attempted murder, two officers removed from DUI accidents by buddies (thereby avoiding a blood alcohol test, and avoiding any crimal charges), one officer just convicted of 2 misdemeanors resulting in probation and restitution (despite leaving the scene of an accident, causing property damage, laying low to avoid alcohol testing, and lying to his insurance company about his vehicle being stolen), a judge that was in trouble for smoking weed at a concert (no criminal charges for the judge, yet this judge set punishments for others who committed the very same offense), four officers being investigated for the disappearance of $16,000 from inmates jail accounts (no charges have been filed, despite an investigation that has been going on for nearly a year), and (just last night), an officer being charged with embezzlement of public funds (he used his dept. gas card to fill up his personal vehicle). Joe Blow off the street would have gotten jail time for any one of these offenses, yet it's pretty apparent that it's not WHAT you do, but WHO you know.

Sorry, but until the system is fair all the way around, until treatment is at least HUMANE, then complaints like this are going to surface. It is the only way for the public to get information that is otherwise buried under the guise of 'department business'.

A positive influence in the community? What are you talking about. These are prisons. There is no vested interest in influencing the communities they are in. The only influence they may have is financially as they provide some jobs to the community and contribute to the income of the community.

They are not there to promote the community or otherwise influence it. Its a prison.

"It seems to me that if a prison is good, then it wouldn't be worried about someone filing a report on it."

They are not worried. The only "reports" I see filed here or elsewhere about terrible prisons were filed either by convicts or family members and friends of the same. The prisons are not worried they will have to shut down because the prisoners don't like it inside.

You can't be a positive influence in the community and hide behind media support, when you treat your inmates like crap. And that's not bleeding heart or trying to be rude, it's the truth. It seems to me that if a prison is good, then it wouldn't be worried about someone filing a report on it. But instead, I see a lot of immaturity, alot of insult trading, and a lot of judgment based on what people believe about prisons--- and not looking at what's really going on in them. I don't feel sorry for any of the corrections facilities listed in these reports. There must be something bad going on in some of them, at least, otherwise they wouldn't be on here. Now, would they???

It seems the system works sometimes. Dianna posted:

"...I HAVE, and have gotten my life together and have not returned to any prison, but to let people know that a prison isn't nice place. You don't get treated like a human being like there, regardless of how well-behaved and respectful you are to a prison staff, and that prison official think it's their job and their right to make life miserable for people in there...."

Congratulations, it worked for you. It became very clear to you, once incarcerated, that life behind bars was unpleasant in the least. Whatever crime you were convicted of you now have NO desire to reoffend and be incarcerated again.

It seems you are alive - obviously the atrocious and unhealthy food did not kill you. Such appalling conditions - a roof over your head, a bed, three meals a day etc. Amenities that MANY hard working, honest citizens can barely afford, and many cannot afford.

The prison "staff" has one job - to keep criminals behind bars. A criminal has proven themselves to be unwilling to respect the personal or property rights of others, thereby committing a crime and being caught, convicted and incarcerated. As the criminal made the conscious choice to disrespect the rights of others, why, would they expect this respect when they are incacerated.

It is punishment. Punishment is not meant to be pleasant. Defined for you by Webster:

"punishment - a. suffering, pain, or loss that serves as retribution; b. a penalty inflicted on an offender through judicial procedure
c. severe, rough, or disastrous treatment"

Personally, I don't care if prisons are contracted to for profit businesses or are 6X4 cells with concrete slabs for a bed and fisheads and rice for food. I simply don't want offenders freely committing crimes with only the expectation of a club med vacation as a penalty.

If I am one of the "Bleeding Hearts" in this country, then I'm proud of it. It means that I care about people. And if caring about people is such a bad thing, even inmates in jail, then I'm also proud to be the worst person in the world.

Bleeding heart, indeed. More like "I care about all people, even those whom I may feel have wronged me, and even people I don't know"! If caring is such a bad thing, then I guess the whole world is going bad faster than even I dreamed.

Dianna made some good points, and I agree with her.

I just have one more thing to add.

Until you have been incarcerated and know everything involved, you should not offer expert advice.

It has happened to me and I have been there. And I can tell you that I am not a criminal. Wrong place at the wrong time. I never engaged in any criminal activity against anyone. There was not even a victim.

There are so many ways to end up in Jail/Prison for absolutely nothing. It COULD happen to YOU! Then I can guarantee you would change your opinion.

A family member of mine years ago got carjacked and he defended himself. For defending himself he got 8 years in State prison. It is all too common that the victim goes to prison.

A friend of mine had an argument with his wife which became an ongoing issue. He got tired of it and left her. After he left, she called the police and filed a domestic violence complaint. He never touched her and there was no evidence to say he did. He got a year in jail.

Not everyone behind bars is a scumbag. I think anyone who has not been involved in a violent crime or crime against children should not be in jail.

I think probation, counseling, etc. are better options that are a whole lot more beneficial to the taxpayers.

And..FYI..MOST of the jails and prisons in the country are private contract and are run for PROFIT at taxpayer expense! Taxes subsidize the profit of the contractor.

Who are the real criminals?

I have a right to complain. While some people may think i'm just griping to be griping and/or starting a verbal war. I am NOT.

I don't think any prison is God. And regardless of what people are in prison for and/or have been in prison for, THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HUMANELY TREATED, AND HUMANELY FED WHILE THEY ARE IN THAT PRISON.

The question isn't whether the person got their lives together or have owned up to their responsibilities, in which case I HAVE, and have gotten my life together and have not returned to any prison, but to let people know that a prison isn't nice place. You don't get treated like a human being like there, regardless of how well-behaved and respectful you are to a prison staff, and that prison official think it's their job and their right to make life miserable for people in there.

It just seems to me that people are so willing to believe whatever they are told about prison, instead finding out that the prisons that have been complained in this website MUST have something bad going on in them, otherwise they wouldn't be in the rip-off reports.

And people trading insults with people who have filed complaints on this website is NOT the answer. What is the answer? How about people actually start digging into the truth about what prisons are really like how, how inmates are really treated while in the prisons, and people who have not been in prison stand up, speak out, and change the obvious and bad-willed treatment that goes on in the prisons listed here.

I'm taking a stand in my hometown, are you? OR, are we just all small-minded people who think inmates deserve whatever kind of crappy and unfair and inhumane (whatever words words you want to put to that) treatment in jail!?

Instead of prison, or jail, let the bleedinghearts club take care of them. They can sign a paper stating the inmates will be under their watchful eye, and any problems will be paid for by the bleedingheart.

I just know you libs will want to take in the drunk, the murderer, the rapist, the thief, etc. Then you can "rehabilitate" them and make them a more productive member of society.

I cannot imagine anyone NOT agreeing to this plan. The bad guys are "rehabilitated" instead of just corralled, the law abiding will be secure, knowing the bleedinghearts are doing everything it takes to make sure the bad guys are taken proper care of. And the bleedinghearts will know they "rights" of the inmates aren't being violated.

So what if the thief steals everything you have? So what if the rapist molests your wife and/or daughter(s)/son(s)? So what if the murderer kills you/your family? Who cares? All that matters is the inmate NOT be hampered in their desire to be "rehabilitated".

Until you bedwetters are willing to do this, please shut the hell up.

Maybe all of these "reformers" would be happier if the prison provided maid service daily and hired blue ribbon chefs to prepare gourmet meals for the "guests". Would you like an "honor bar" in your room? Perhaps a mint on your pillow at bedtime would make your stay happier. Even better, the prison system can arrange a week's vacation for each inmate, and give a choice of the Jersey shore or the Poconos.

Come on now. Those of us who don't commit crimes and pay for all we have should have zero sympathy for some lawbreaker who whines and cries because they have to "endure" these "harsh" conditions.

There is a simple solution. Stay clean, stay sober, stay legal.

I agree with Steve on the point that there are some locked up that are innocent and do not deserve to be there. I also think this is the exception, rather than the rule. Of course, if you ask the prisoners, they will all say "I'm innocent" or "I'm only here because I had a lousy lawyer".

In a society in which the crime rate is beyond acceptable levels one must realize there will be mistakes - the innocent will go to jail at times. Even one innocent person incarcerated is unacceptable to many. It is my belief that although our system of justice is flawed, it is the best in the world. While we make mistakes, we learn from them, we improve and we move on.

Incarceration is not a Sunday picnic. It should not be pleasant and these convicted criminals do not deserve the extra niceties of life. They have committed crimes against honest, hardworking citizens and now must pay the price for their actions.

They are provided shelter, clothing, food - the basics - these are all that they should receive. It is the extras that are unneccessary. In many county jails and prisons these include free education, free cable television, internet access. Some examples of specific "prison luxuries":

At the Jefferson City Correctional Center in Missouri, inmates have run their own around-the-clock, closed circuit TV station, routinely broadcasting movies containing sex and violence.

In New York State, at a high-security prison in Fallsburg, prisoners have been able to jam in a music room full of electric guitars, drums, and keyboards - all courtesy of the taxpayer.

The Oahu Correctional Facility in Honolulu provides aerobics classes and hula dancers as entertainment for its inmates.

Prisoners at Olmstead County Jail in Minnesota receive their medical care at the prestigious Mayo Clinic.

All luxuries that the average, honest, hardworking person cannot afford for themselves or their families.

Yes prison creates criminals. This stems chiefly from the fact that it is not considered punishment by many criminals. Among themselves they work to improve the skills of their chosen crimes, perpetrate the crimes against one another while incarcerated, and generally career criminals have little concern about being incarcerated again.

Make no mistake - the inmates run the asylum. While the media may focus on incidents in which there is abuse by prison guards and staff the true abuse is to the taxpayer. We pay for these institutions and their residents with the expectation it will convince a criminal not to reoffend if released. There is no rehabilitation, only a short sabbatical from a career of crime.

We are quick to judge others, but rarely stop and think what would happen if we suddenly found ourselves in the other person's position.

Many of you responding here have no idea how little it takes to go to jail and/or prison! A simple mistake with no criminal intent can put you there!

Trusting the wrong lawyer can put you there.
Not having money for a lawyer can put you there.

I have seen this first hand, and until you do too, you should not post here.

I feel that repeat offenders, violent criminals, and those who make a lifestyle out of being locked up should be treated differently than the first timer.

There are a lot of good people who just made a stupid mistake locked up for a long time. It happens!

I can tell you that the conditions are much worse than anyone deserves in many of these places. It is way beyond punishment. It is abuse, and people die because of it everyday.

Far too many people are locked up who don't need to be locked up. Prison creates more criminals. Unless a person is dangerous, they do not need to be in prison. There are many other options, as many other countries have discovered.

Think hard on this one.

Do you want to know the REAL ripoff?

The terrorists in Gitmo have gained an average of 18 pounds since being locked up. They are in better health than their comrades in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention the taxpayers footing the bills. They have a food bill three times as high as the guards. They have free run of the place and are pretty much left alone all day. The 7 Marines and the Corpsman accused of killing "innocent" civilians are locked in their cells 23 hours/day, and shackled for their 1 hour/day "exercise" time. Visitors are behind plexiglass, while the terrorists can hold hands and sing Kumbaya if they want. Our guys haven't even been charged with anything, and they are locked up tighter than the scumbags who try to kill us.

THAT is a ripoff! Being tossed in the clink for a crime you committed isn't.

I'm starting to get a much better understanding for why the world is heading in it's current direction. There is very little compassion anymore, no one's willing to to lend a hand to a fellow human, sympathy? Yeah, ok, right, that emotion seems to be in very short supply as well.

I was raised that EVERYONE had a purpose, that if someone was in need, you stepped up. What does this have to do with jail? When others start thinking that decent food is a LUXURY, there's a problem. I've heard medical care isn't a RIGHT? Then why do my taxes pay for medicaid, why do my increased insurance premiums pay for medical care for those unable to pay (a hospital is not allowed to turn you away because of money issues if they participate with medicaid)? If it's not a RIGHT, then why do I pay for it on a daily basis?

As for the inmates keeping their jails clean and preparing decent food, don't know how it is in your area, but around here, the food is brought in by a private service, not prepared at the jail. The inmates have no control over the preparation nor service of the food. Cleaning? The only ones that are ALLOWED to clean things up (meaning, given actual cleaning supplies to do it with) are the trustee's at the jail, and those are limited to a very short period of time per day, since as 'trustee's' they are also given other privileges and responsibilities.

No wonder the world is going to he** in a handbasket, our species has been reduced to an 'every man for himself' attitude. Heaven help any of you with such a high and mighty attitude should you ever find yourself in need of a friendly smile or a helping hand. Guess you better hope that it's someone like myself standing closest, and not someone in your own image. At least if it's me, you'll get a hot healthy meal, a clean place to lay your head for the night, and a tylenol if you need it.

I'm starting to get a much better understanding for why the world is heading in it's current direction. There is very little compassion anymore, no one's willing to to lend a hand to a fellow human, sympathy? Yeah, ok, right, that emotion seems to be in very short supply as well.

I was raised that EVERYONE had a purpose, that if someone was in need, you stepped up. What does this have to do with jail? When others start thinking that decent food is a LUXURY, there's a problem. I've heard medical care isn't a RIGHT? Then why do my taxes pay for medicaid, why do my increased insurance premiums pay for medical care for those unable to pay (a hospital is not allowed to turn you away because of money issues if they participate with medicaid)? If it's not a RIGHT, then why do I pay for it on a daily basis?

As for the inmates keeping their jails clean and preparing decent food, don't know how it is in your area, but around here, the food is brought in by a private service, not prepared at the jail. The inmates have no control over the preparation nor service of the food. Cleaning? The only ones that are ALLOWED to clean things up (meaning, given actual cleaning supplies to do it with) are the trustee's at the jail, and those are limited to a very short period of time per day, since as 'trustee's' they are also given other privileges and responsibilities.

No wonder the world is going to he** in a handbasket, our species has been reduced to an 'every man for himself' attitude. Heaven help any of you with such a high and mighty attitude should you ever find yourself in need of a friendly smile or a helping hand. Guess you better hope that it's someone like myself standing closest, and not someone in your own image. At least if it's me, you'll get a hot healthy meal, a clean place to lay your head for the night, and a tylenol if you need it.

I'm starting to get a much better understanding for why the world is heading in it's current direction. There is very little compassion anymore, no one's willing to to lend a hand to a fellow human, sympathy? Yeah, ok, right, that emotion seems to be in very short supply as well.

I was raised that EVERYONE had a purpose, that if someone was in need, you stepped up. What does this have to do with jail? When others start thinking that decent food is a LUXURY, there's a problem. I've heard medical care isn't a RIGHT? Then why do my taxes pay for medicaid, why do my increased insurance premiums pay for medical care for those unable to pay (a hospital is not allowed to turn you away because of money issues if they participate with medicaid)? If it's not a RIGHT, then why do I pay for it on a daily basis?

As for the inmates keeping their jails clean and preparing decent food, don't know how it is in your area, but around here, the food is brought in by a private service, not prepared at the jail. The inmates have no control over the preparation nor service of the food. Cleaning? The only ones that are ALLOWED to clean things up (meaning, given actual cleaning supplies to do it with) are the trustee's at the jail, and those are limited to a very short period of time per day, since as 'trustee's' they are also given other privileges and responsibilities.

No wonder the world is going to he** in a handbasket, our species has been reduced to an 'every man for himself' attitude. Heaven help any of you with such a high and mighty attitude should you ever find yourself in need of a friendly smile or a helping hand. Guess you better hope that it's someone like myself standing closest, and not someone in your own image. At least if it's me, you'll get a hot healthy meal, a clean place to lay your head for the night, and a tylenol if you need it.

It is still not a ripoff. People die in prison every day. When it is your time, it is simply your time.

We all know prisoners don't fake illnesses to try and beat the system. In any event, medical staff at a prison or any correctional facility are questionable at best.

It is simply not feasible to expect medical professionals who are skilled and well qualified to work for the pennies on the dollar those that work in prisons are paid. Why should they do so when they can earn MUCH more practicing privately.

If this person had not made the CHOICE to commit a crime they would not have been locked in a cell when they became ill. You choose to be a criminal and choose to go to prison, you also choose this type of medical care.

someone's son actually died in that prison, due to the neglect of the correctional staff and/or whoever is responsible, not getting a man treated when he had SEVERE stomach problems which caused him to die. Not a rip off, not neglectful??? i beg to differ.

" ...would expect people to say this. But, I'm also one of the taxpayers whose taxes pay for this facility to be so dirty. A little humane treatment would go a long way. And, it IS a rip-off! Why do you think it's listed here???"

How does it qualify as a ripoff for convicted prisoners, given the responsibility to clean up AFTER THEMSELVES as well as prepare food for THEMSELVES, do a half baked job of completing these tasks? No ripoff here. Except that taxpayers are ripped off to incarcerate these people. They or their families should bear the financial burden of their incarceration.

I don't see the taxpayers footing the bill for someone to clean my place or cook for me. THEY are there by a choice, a bad one, that they made. THEY should keep the place clean and prepare the food properly. If they want to live in a pigsty and eat slop, it is another choice they make.

"Basic rights of EVERY human being should include clean drinking water, decent diet, medical care and clean sleeping quarters."

These are not basic rights of every human being. Those are things that people who work hard for a living get to enjoy. Medical care is not a "right" in the United States, it is a priviledge, one that no one hands me or my children, and I am not a bad person who goes to prison.

I have to work hard for all of those things you think are a right in the US. My children or I don't just get those things for free, why should anyone else, especially a convicted criminal? We have to work for them. Inmates should be thrilled to even get the basics they recieve every day.

They don't have to pay rent or utilities and a medical person does deliver their baby.They do get 3 hots and a cot,and believe me, no one just gives that to me!

Want an Epidural? Dont go to jail!
Want good food? Dont go to jail!
Perhaps being denied these little luxuries will make them think twice before going back to their lawless ways.
April

You may find this shocking, but most people don't have a problem with deplorable prison conditions. That's what makes it a punishment. If prisoners were confined to the Marriot, I'd have a real problem with that.

I would expect people to say this. But, I'm also one of the taxpayers whose taxes pay for this facility to be so dirty. A little humane treatment would go a long way. And, it IS a rip-off! Why do you think it's listed here???

It's not the Hilton, a friend's house or your Mom's place - it's jail. You committed a crime, jail is punishment, it is not supposed to be a pleasant resort vacation.

The cleanliness of the facility, and often the preperation of the food is the responsibility of the inmates. If you, or your fellow criminals did a poor job cleaning or preparing the food, no one else is to blame. The government and it's law abiding citizens have no responsibility to pay for maid or catering service on your behalf.

In my opinion you were treated too nicely. I think all convicted offenders should be fed in their cells and allowed one hour a day exercise/shower time. Wash your own laundry by hand. You don't deserve a "commissary".

Another poster stated we would be jailed if we treated our animals this way. Yes, and appropriately. Our "pets" or other animals are not out committing crimes against us or one another. They deserve better treatment.

I agree with Ang.

You have rights if you obey the law. Breaking it takes them away. That's supposed to be incentive enough for most of us not to go that direction. 'Nuff said.

Since when are we allowed to treat others in an inhumane way? If we treated our animals in the way that this poster is descibing, WE would be sitting in jail, for inhumane treatment, cruelty to animals and neglect. Why is it so easy for others to give the OK for the government to treat our species in this manner????

I, myself, have never been in jail, let alone gotten a ticket for a traffic infraction. However, I've known others that have been in for the stupidest of reasons. There is no reason why food shouldn't at LEAST meet minimum requirements (and really, you don't want to go here with me, the government standards in and of themselves barely keep a starving man alive! As a daycare provider, I can tell you that if you only eat what is REQUIRED, you're gonna weigh in at about 90 lbs!), and those meals should be safe. (and here a side note, if all you feed the inmates is a bologna sandwich, apple, veggie and milk, you've still met the daily requirements that the government sets)

As for medical care, that should be a RIGHT of every person, regardless of what they've done or where they are living. Is is the fault of an unborn child that his/her mother is incarcerated, whether for murder or unpaid child support? NO!

Basic rights of EVERY human being should include clean drinking water, decent diet, medical care and clean sleeping quarters. As americans, we don't allow our animals to be mistreated so why would we allow our fellow beings to be mistreated? As a private citizen, I would be accused, and most probably convicted if I did the same to another, yet because it's government, it's ok? Wake up people! Don't become what the goverment has, don't condone actions that you know are MORALLY wrong!

You are a convicted criminal and you were fed and housed at tax payer expense. You have essentially ripped off the taxpayers, not the other way around. This situtation is completely in your control, if you don't like prison food do not do things that will get you sent to prison.