Cold, hungry nights (Jail inmates whining about being cold and hungry)

The Auburn NY Citizen Copyright © 2004 ^ | Wednesday, November 17, 2004 | By Amaris Elliott-Engel / The Citizen

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Before Charles Davenport goes to bed each night, he rinses his sole orange-and-white striped Cayuga County Jail uniform and leaves it to dry in his cell while he sleeps....His wife, Patty, said her husband has been cold at night in the chilly facility because he has no change of uniform to wear at night, only undershorts to sleep in, while he serves a 10-month sentence...

Sounds like being in the navy.

Another former Cayuga County Jail inmate, John Murtari - whose 44-day sentence finished Nov. 5 - said during an interview conducted at the jail before his release that he was lucky to be wearing white undershorts when he entered the Cayuga County Jail in September...."In another county, you go to a guard and they will actually help. You will feel like it's actually having a dialogue," said Murtari, who has served sentences connected to his activism on family law reform in Onondaga and Oneida county facilities.

Translation: we have a professional victim here.

Here's a crazy idea, guys: if you don't like the food or clothing in jail DON'T BREAK THE LAW.

Sheesh.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Betsy Sterling, the associate director of the Ithaca office of Prisoner Legal Services, a state-funded organization representing state inmates, says that because inmates are "totally dependent upon jail administration to be fed, to be given the opportunity to shower (these basic needs taken for granted outside of jail) can be an enormous event in a jail situation."

Ithaca is the City of Evil.

[ikka]

I wonder if the level of backsliding is reduced in this jail vs. the "cable access, TV in your room" jails.

[mike182d]

"I don't want to be shivering in my cell going hungry, walking around with no underwear," Murtari said.

Yeah, I'm sure being raped, having your possessions stolen, or being mugged at gunpoint was really comfortable for your victims...

[Bikers4Bush]

Jail is a lousy place to be. It's best to not do things that may get you sent there.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Gee, you'd think jail was supposed to be a miserable experience or something.

[Yaelle]

Guess what? You aren't paying for your heating any more, bud. Those of us out here can turn up the heat only if we have first provided for its cost.

Too bad we never developed a good work-prison system. It would be nice to have two kinds of inmates: those who work hard at prison farms or factories and thus pay for their own utilities and basic needs, or those who refuse and stay in lonely cells ALL DAY, no TV or exercise equipment.

[VoiceOfBruck]

Bob Outhouse?

[AbercrombieChick]

I posted this in the MN Gov't forum, but these idiots need more legislators like mine, MN House Speaker Seifert:

On prison budget cuts: "We have to make sure the rapists and murderers sacrifice like everyone else" (referring to budget sacrifices that education and social security also had to take).

On double-bunking prison cells: "two hots and a swell new roommate with a whole bunch of tattoos."

If inmates don't like Rep. Seifert's proposal to cut meal plans, they can go "eat a tablespoon of lard." (this article is awesome because "Seifert acknowledged Friday he had received letters from inmates, including one that reportedly made a reference to the inmate and legislator sharing a 'can of Crisco' when the offender got out of prison," but Seifert stood his ground and his prisoner-depriving bill)

More on cutting back prisoners' meals: If it's OK for college kids, I don't know why it's not OK for cop killers, murderers and rapists to go with two fewer meals on weekends,’ he said.”

[wideawake]

To quote Jerry Seinfeld:

"That's a shame."

[sheik yerbouty]

"Sheriff Rob Outhouse"? Is this some sort of spoof?

[Behind Liberal Lines]

No, that's his real name.

[sheik yerbouty]

With a name like that, he had to grow up tough.

[Just another Joe]

(this article is awesome because "Seifert acknowledged Friday he had received letters from inmates, including one that reportedly made a reference to the inmate and legislator sharing a 'can of Crisco' when the offender got out of prison," but Seifert stood his ground and his prisoner-depriving bill)

I'm not so sure that the inmate was talking about eating the Crisco.

[retrokitten]

Bob Outhouse?

My thought as well. What kind of name is that?

[AbercrombieChick]

Yeah, the report was trying to use "crisco" as a watered down translation for "greasy, slippery, anal lube."

[retrokitten]

With a name like that, he had to grow up tough.

Imagine if they had named him Sue. Sue Outhouse.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

http://www.co.cayuga.ny.us/sheriff/

[todd1]

I went to jail for evading arrest on my motorcycle... In truth I didn't see the officer but when I did I pulled over. Jail sucked... The food sucked... it was cold... I never want to go back... I took 300 hours of community service not to go back and pled guilty/deferred judification for something I didn't do so I wouldn't have a felony on my record.

[sheik yerbouty]

Thanks for the info!