Oh, Those Poor Little Criminals!!!

[Sparky-Watts]

From the Hutchinson News:

Inmates Sue County Officials Over Jail Conditions

Prisoners at the Reno County Jail, which county leaders hope to replace because of its deficiencies, filed suit in Reno County District Court charging "unconstitutional conditions of confinement" at the jail.

The plaintiffs are six men who are current or former jail prisoners. Their petition for a writ of habeas corpus claims they are unlawfully confined, and lists some of the same building shortcomings - such as poor ventilation and plumbing - that county leaders cite in their campaign for a new jail, an issue that awaits voter approval Aug. 1.

Sheriff Randy Henderson declined comment Friday on the lawsuit. County Counselor Joe O'Sullivan also declined to address the petition until he hears if the county officials named in the suit have been served papers.

Hundreds of petitions by prisoners - more often inmates at Hutchinson Correctional Facility, rather than those in the county jail - are filed with the District Court, and it's up to a district judge to determine if they advance, according to O'Sullivan.

"Theoretically," O'Sullivan said, the lawsuit against the county jail "might not go forward."

Filing the handwritten, 10-page petition were Donnie Taylor, James Jacobson, Jimmy Hamby, Kyle Stach, Sammy Cox and Robert Marler Jr. Charges that put those men in jail range from forgery to attempted first-degree murder.

The defendants are the Reno County Detention Center, Henderson, Undersheriff Dennis Stofer, Jail Captain Scott Powell, County Commissioner Larry Sharp and Hutchinson City Attorney Carolyn Patterson.

The prisoners are acting without outside legal counsel.

Besides complaints about the plumbing, heating and cooling, the prisoners alleged that there was not time or equipment for exercising and prices at the jail commissary were too high.

Kansas does not have jail standards, but the American Corrections Association standards are considered the guide.

County literature promoting the proposed $20.72 million jail acknowledges that the more than 35-year-old jail does not meet national standards.

"This exposes the County to potentially financially devastating lawsuits," the handout states.

Ok, I think we've gone waaaay too far in coddling convicts and inmates. Aside from the freedom to walk outside, inmates have more rights and comforts than a lot of our American citizens on the "outside".

What do you all think? I personally prefer the tactics of Joe Arpaio of the Maricopa County Prison:

Sheriff Joe Arpaio

However, our bleeding heart wusses are now attacking him and petitioning to have him recalled as county Sheriff:

Recall Petition

Despite his shortcomings in the office, his treatment of prisoners still gets my vote.

 

[90Xjay]

I like the part about the "35 year old jail" not meeting standards..crap!
My house was built in 1954, do I get a new house also?

Just because a structure is 35 years old does not mean it must be replaced.
If proper maintenance was done along the way they can last 150 years.

Our school board president used the same crap to tell all of the voters that the high school was falling apart and that it was dangerous to send kids there and how we needed to pass a bond to build a new high school. I asked the school board who was in charge while the old school was let run down into that condition. None of them responded.

inmate rights...yeah with me working a full job and mowing lawns and whatever else on the side just to get ahead.. I'm really worried about a convict whose A/C unit is not working right..:x :x

 

[OutOfStep]

Yeah it's kinda ridiculous that they get better cable, climate control, and exercise equipment than free men get and then are always complaining. Regardless it will most likely go nowhere, conditions of the prison the convicted are held shouldn't really have much to do with the writ of habeas corpus; they should have probably retained some legal council.



Sheriff Joe is a catch 22, he has a lot of programs and ideas that are great but he has a very bad habit of walking all over peoples constitutionally protected civil liberties. He's very much a guilty until proven innocent kinda sheriff. One of his crappy ideas is to pull people over try and strong-arm a fingerprint out of them through intimidation and fear of arrest for unknown charges, kind of a coercion to surrender ones fourth amendment rights. He also arrested several actors involved with the campaign of his last political rival because they were dressed like cops in a series of satirical TV commercials. The charges went nowhere but he was able to arrest and detain them for an extended period of time. Oh and he’s also got a tank with a ram on it, though I think it’s mainly to intimidate people who watch parades. Oh and he decided that his swat guys were making too much money so he made them pull regular duty PLUS respond as swat when needed. But he'll spend millions of tax payer dollars in legal defence for doing things like arresting actors for portraying police officers. Additionally no other law enforcement agency wants anything to do with the guy because of his grandstanding and the way he usurps power in joint efforts.

 

[OutOfStep]

Though as far as the recall goes it's bunk, the old dog doesn't have any new tricks since he was last elected.

 

[TwistedCU]

What part of "punishment" is eluding those people????

 

[Utah_jeepster]

Not to start a war with Out-of-step...
I had the pleasure of working with Sheriff Arpaio as a Rescue diver/mountain rescue climber.
I have personally met the man on several occasions and was quiet impressed. Yes his programs are quiet draconian into todays standards. From brown bag lunch's to no coffee in the mornings for the precious inmates.

Yes he is quiet out spoken about some of his right wing ideas. National data base of finger prints, why not I have submitted mine years ago when I filed for a CCW and a automatic class 3 tax stamp. I have nothing to fear. Do you?

His reducing the specialty type foods, and drinks served at the Maricopa County jail has saved the county tax payers millions of dollars. He cut there cable and even took away there pornographic magazines. The money he saved the tax payers he funnel's into his crime prevention programs and better equipment for his Deputies, is that wrong?!?

The issue here isn't about a Sheriff with right..or that matter left wing ideas, its about prisoners complaining that life behind bars is rough. So cry me a river!
These men knew and willingly broke our nations laws. They have stolen from us, Stolen our identity's, attempted to kill some one etc etc.
But these men are criminals, and such deserve nothing better than to be locked up in hell for there prison term. Not locked up in the Marriott hotel and enjoy room service. I pay thousands of dollars a year for the local and federal police to catch and lock these type of men up. Not to cater to criminals. Life behind bars is supposed to be rough, not soft and cutely with scented bath tissue. If life is too frigging hard for you behind bars, then don't commit the crime.

I get along in life without committing a crime and live ok. I don't have all the fancy stuff and my heep looks a little rough around the edges, but what I am saying is this. The daily grind is rough/tough, some days its a struggle just to get out of bed. But I do it and so do millions of other people and they/we get through life just fine with out committing any crimes. My Apt is not the Marriott, but it sure beats a stone walled jail.
Don't like it...dont commit the crime. By law you loose any rights you have when you break state or federal laws. I think you should loose the rights to file frivolous law suits as well. They sure didn't want the courts seeing what they were doing when they committed there crime, now they want to use the courts as a weapon to get better accommodations in jail! Cry me a river.

Tough luck and Suffer!​

Ok I am an ex-criminal now...I just got my first ticket( a mistameaner)...yes my very first!
I failed to fully stop at a intersection in the middle of an empty industrial park.
90$ and I was a free man again. Thank gowd I have a job to pay for it. Because I couldn't rob some one here on this board for the money...we all own jeeps!

 

[chad.helton]

Wait just a second are you all trying to say going to jail is no longer that magical vacation from reality that it use to be??? I must say this had ruined what I thought was going to be a fantastic day. Just recently I have pondering ideas to find my way back into the "big house" where my bills are to be payed by the government, food is supplied (crab cake friday really gets you through the week), free cable, free education( great for studying up on Makavali), and my own john right there by my bed. But if they are not going to provide the things a pampered man like me needs in jail well.... I just might stay on the outside. Next job just might be at intersections holding a cardboard sign with some type of touching quote ( "God Bless" seems popular with the pros, but I might try my own thing) leaving people helpless to forking over the cash they spent the day working to earn. Anyway, a normal hardworking life is no longer an option when I have chances like these to rid the honest of they work for.

 

[Laph]

that Arizona Sheriff is my hero

 

[mingez]

Don't hate on the criminals for gettin' theirs! You are all just a bunch of suckers for doing it the lawful way. Jobs? Mowing Lawns? SUCKERS!!!!

Of course there is that whole man-rape thing. With the exception of South, none of us would be happy with that aspect of incarceration.
....But aside from that...the A/C is sssuuuwweeettt!!!

 

[TwistedCU]

If a man walks out of a jail after serving his sentance, and thinks to himself that no crime would be worth risking a return to the place he just left then the system worked.

 

[OutOfStep]

Nah no war, only healthy debate. You seem to have read more into my post than what I wrote. I think you have an idea of me as some sort of left wing , rainbows unicorns and hugs kinda guy. I have no problem with his treatment of convicted persons. I believe strongly in real punishment for real crimes and that everything should double if you commit the crime with a firearm. My problem with him resides nearly solely in his disregard for the constitution of the US and the State of Arizona. The budgetary issues are a nuisance, but typical of any governmental agency.

I don't have anything to fear either, however my inalienable right of privacy is very clearly protected in the 4th amendment. I've submitted my prints as well, of free will, when it serves my needs; I will not submit them through intimidation. I've always found the "I have nothing to fear" line ridiculous, it is completely contrary to every principle that this country was founded upon. This country was founded on the principle that if there is no reason to believe that you have done anything illegal you shouldn’t be harassed. It's fine by me if you want to surrender your rights, but I will not, too many have fought and died for them for me to toss them away.

Who should decide what lawsuit is frivolous? Doesn't it seem like a conflict of interest that the government would make that determination? Every person is guaranteed the writ of habeas corpus. Once again if you would like to surrender your right to habeas corpus it's OK with me, but I will not.

Also remember the horrific abuses of prisoners in America's prisons throughout history. Simply because someone has screwed up doesn't mean that they should be banished to a gulag. I have worked with many inmates crews during my time wild land firefighting, and I hate to break it to you, but they're normal guys. Normal guys who screwed up, normal guys who made bad decisions, but normal guys none the less.

Currently I deal with the enforcement side of environmental regulations, if you have nothing to fear then surely you wouldn’t have a problem if I go through all your stuff right? (kidding of course)

 

[OutOfStep]

Oh, and I've got you beat, I've never had a moving violation, only one for not wearing a seatbelt :lol: but I was framed

 

[Saurian]

When precisely did jail go from being a punishment to some sort of status symbol... Or better yet, up one to the status symbol as a nice holiday away from work! Cry me a river here! We have no air conditioning here at my house. The roof and gutters and siding and windows need doing, I don't get healthcare if I get sick, and we have to PAY FOR OUR CABLE!!! Prices at the commissary too high? Prices at Farmer Jack, 7-11, every gas station, they're all too darned high! Do I therefore get to sue the City, County, and State? I think not...

Bleh! And you know that somewhere, some hollywood type with far too much influence is gonna take pity, and then it'll be on CNN, the inhumane treatment of American Citizens by an Abusive and Overshadowing Government that Does Not Care...

 

[jeep_tsi]

me i work in correctins in the state of missouri.since when did being incarcerated become a dad gum friggin vacation prison is supposed to be hard it supposed to suck thats what its there for. heres a thought to all criminals or would be criminals "if you cant do the time dont do the crime" prison or jail has never nor will it ever be a vacation destination. in my opinion prisons are to easy now i think they should be harder more miserable if its hot outside turn on the heat make it hotter if its cold turn on the ac make it hotter the more miserable you are while your in the less likely you will be a repeat tenant

 

[KrazyJeeper]

Prisoners/Convicts should receive time to eat, bathe and the remainder of the time should be pounding rocks into littler rocks. Plain and simple. Work their Arshes off and you won't have them rioting either. No TV, gym, or education, just tiny little pebbles.

 

[Utah_jeepster]

I think you have an idea of me as some sort of left wing , rainbows unicorns and hugs kinda guy.

No not at all but that unicorn sticker you have on the rear bumper of your jeep is questionable...lol

Currently I deal with the enforcement side of environmental regulations, if you have nothing to fear then surely you wouldn't’t have a problem if I go through all your stuff right? (kidding of course)

Be my guest, you could join ATF...they have the right to enter my house and search my gun storage units and gun dealing records.
Still I have nothing to hide.
Now if you want to go through my under-roo drawer as well be my guest. Just watch out for the ones with racing stripes...I didn't buy them that way.

All kidding aside...

Like Krazy Jeeper said it should be rough in prison, conditions should be miserable, in plain you should hate to go to jail, no you should fear from going to jail.
Yes Sheriff Joe has his faults and like I said,

Yes he is quiet out spoken about some of his right wing ideas

But he has to be applauded for his tough stance on his treatment of prisoners.
If they were inhuman do you think he would still be in office and his policies still in force?
As to his owning a Bradley with a battering ram on the end...well I like to see it driving up to the local drug dealers place, then a eight man team getting prepared to do an insurgent maneuverer.
As you can tell I lived in Arizona for a majority of my life. I knew those men, there families, there hopes and dreams. You don't spend days on a barge over a boating accident site, searching for victims without talking about life itself with these men.
Funny thing about death it brings the living closer together.
But I am getting off the main subject

But the point I am trying to make is we all have to go places that we hate...work, dentists office...off roading with friends...JK.
But if prison was a non-air-conditioned hell hole that only provides 3 squares and the promise of pounding rocks all day in the hot sun...do you think many of those that get sentenced there will want to return? I don't think so. I think we need to look at our prison systems and see why so many don't mind if they get caught...heck doin 5 years isn't that bad is it?
cable tv...comfy rack with a ****ter right next to your bed. Good food with all the time you want for free education.
Heck I was even thinking that might be the best way to get my son through college!

 

[OutOfStep]

No not at all but that unicorn sticker you have on the rear bumper of your jeep is questionable...lol

Dude, unicorns are manly right? What’s more manly than a horse that is armed with a horn that can fly. They're like mythical attack helicopters.

You would let the ATF into your home because they have business there and you relinquished part of your 4th amendment as a condition of you're class 3 stamp. You wouldn't submit to searches from agencies that have no business sticking their nose in your business. It's not that you have something to hide, its that they have no reason to suspect that you are hiding something, and therefore have no business with you.

The Bradley seems to rarely move (except for parades and car shows), I think its primarily a PR tool. Plus you lose the element of surprise when you enter the ghetto in a tank.

Like I’ve said before, no problem with the handling of inmates here. I've actually never met an inmate that complained about the treatment in Arizona's/Maricopa's prision.

The guys I've worked with on release from tent city prefer back breaking labor to hanging out at tent city, so actually the worse punishment may be to make them stay there and watch bad movies.

 

[OutOfStep]

You know who my favorite Arizona Sheriff is though, it's Sheriff Ogden from Yuma County. Now that guy is a Sheriff.

 

[90Xjay]

I believe strongly in real punishment for real crimes and that everything should double if you commit the crime with a firearm.

Why?

Should the same not hold true with a knife, baseball bat, or any weapon. Why just firearms?

 

[OutOfStep]

The best way to reduce crime involving firearms is to permanently remove criminals that use firearms from society. As it is now society is increasingly seeking to punish lawful firearm owners for the misuses of firearms perpetrated by criminals. Punish the criminal not me.

The concept is the same as differential treatment based on the intent of the person committing the crime and the circumstances involved, i.e. manslaughter, first degree murder, second degree murder and so on.