The Tragedy In America's Jails - And Response (2)

  • Wednesday, August 24, 2016

I've been attacked trying to sound the alarm about mass incarceration for just about any and every offense, no matter how small, made up or non-existing. I've been told such things as "if you can't do the time, then don't do the crime".  "Stop whining!" "You must be guilty of something!" And quite a number of  more choice words and name calling I won't go into here. But, you don't have to be a psychic to know how one bad, not well thought out plan (War On Drugs/War On Crime) has the potential to lead to a greater tragic outcome.  Any time "war" is declared on anything or situation, it has the potential to morph into a war against the people.  

According to ACLU, nationally there are more than eight times as many women incarcerated in state, federal prisons and local jails as there were in 1980, increasing in numbers from 12,300 in 1980 to 182,271 by 2002. And the increase has only grown since that time. At last count, 40 percent of those women incarcerated in 2000 were for drug crimes. Thirty-four percent was for non-violent crimes. Only 18 percent were incarcerated for violent related crimes and 7 percent were for DUI, liquor law violations and vagrancy.  

Because many more women are being arrested, more of them are also being abused and/or attacked in prisons and jails. Either at the hands of jailers or fellow inmates, or set up by jailers to be attacked by inmates. In July 2004, Estelle Richardson's lifeless beaten body was found in solitary cell at a CCA prison in Davidson County. Four guards were charged, but the charges were later dismissed. Her death to this day remains a mystery. Years later, a cellmate, would remember how she would witness bruises on Richardson after encounters with jail guards. Over the years, that cellmate stated she'd gone to the county prosecutor's office to recount what she saw, urging him to push on and find out what happened to Richardson.  

Leandra Ellington, found dead (beaten) in her jail cell approximately 24 hours after filing a complaint against a corrections officer who'd allegedly threatened to kill her, Ocala, Fla.

Sandra Bland, found dead in a Texas jail, after a routine traffic stop for failing to use her turn signal. Death ruled suicide.  

During the month of July 2015 five women died in jails somewhere in America; Sandra Bland-Texas, Kindra Chapman-Homewood, Ala., Joyce Curnell, Ralkina Jones, Cleveland Heights, Raynetta Turner.  Stephanie Anderson, Southwest Denver, Co.

Madaline Christine Pitkin, 2014, Portland, Or.

Sierra Zurn, Hawthorne, Ca. would survive, but her story is still an unnecessary and preventable tragedy that could have very well cost her her life.  

Now, the recent preventable death of this young woman locally. Over a less than $15 alleged shoplifting?  

According to a story in The Week, technically, only dangerous criminals or flight risks are supposed to be detained before trial. However, greed and the quest to fill a prison or jail bed, and the "titanic-machinery" of the "war on crime" have changed America's prisons and jails into massive warehouses, especially for those who might be too poor to post bail.  

I expect to be attacked for my beliefs, but I just don't think a country such as America, that touts itself as a 'fair' and 'just' nation, meant for its prison system to turn into potentially automatic death chambers. 

I've heard stories from both sides. Those who have worked in the system and those who have been incarcerated there. All I can say is, America can do better. It has to.

I said it once, and I'll say it again - in a nation where every act, every action, no matter how small, becomes an excuse to make an arrest, at some point every citizen will become a criminal.  

The above is just a sampling of a greater tragedy taking place in jails and prisons across America.  

Brenda Washington 

* * * 

I agree on many points you have raised.  

The crime and punishment system is so grossly broken it posses a danger to the public. Any one of us can be taken into government custody for an unproven allegation, and many innocent people are incarcerated while awaiting trial.    While waiting for justice, many are victimized in government custody. 

I believe there is no place more dangerous than government custody, for the reasons you have pointed out.  Legislative reform is way past due. 

April Eidson 

* * * 

I don't particularly like Brenda Washington. Often I perceive a one-side whinny view coming from her but when she's right, she's right. 

Her "The Tragedy in America's Jails" piece was on target. The "war on drugs" is really a war on the weak and disadvantaged.  America's solution to minor infractions is to tax the poor into deeper poverty through fines and penalties. 

I wish I were smart enough to offer an intelligent solution. I'm not,  but I'm smart enough to know that the poor should not be a cash cow for anyone. 

Steve Campbell

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