News-Record.com

Are You calling me Fat?

"Guilford County continues to grow, and with it the number of inmates in the jails. Something needs to be done. Do you have a better idea?"

Yes. Stop putting people in prison simply because they decided to put some certain substance in their bodies, an action which hurts no one else in any way. Sure, put them in prison if they drive while intoxicated, which is a danger to others, but otherwise, to put them in prison is beyond absurd. I don't know what percentage of inmates are in on nonviolent drug charges, but I believe it's a significant percentage.
Stop imprisoning people for all other victimless crimes as well.

Also stop imprisoning people for refusing to allow the government to rob them.

There are no “victimless crimes” with the possible exceptions of prostitution and gambling. Addicts need money and steal to get it. Having your home burglarized is a violation of self that takes so long to get over and feel safe in your home again. What is needed is barracks type prisons that are much cheaper to build and maintain for the non-violent criminals. Of course this is good enough for those who defend our country but certainly not good enough for our criminals so it will never fly.

we can do like texas and fast-track the death penalty cases. Heroin addicts and crackheads that overdose should not be treated. if they get through it, congrats, make them work in fields to pay off their medical bills. if they dont make it, one less crackhead or heroin addict to worry about. harsh yes but these people know what they are doing is wrong and there are programs in place to help them, all they have to do is ask.

The sheriff in Arizona has the right idea. House them in tents, feed them bologna slamwiches, no tv, no weight lifting yard , just hard work. His program must be working since few have opted to return to his "loving care."

When I think about people in jail, I am reminded of a passage of scripture from the Christian Scriptures; the Gospel of Matthew 25.33-40. It reads "He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, "My father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created. When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me."

Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, "When did we give you something to eat or drink? When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear or visit you while you were sick or in jail?"

The king will answer, "Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me." "

That says it all!

Shalom

I've wondered why the prison system hasn't developed a plan similar to the "hot cot" system used on submarines. (The name is derived from the thinking that the "cot/bed" is always warm with a live body). Using this plan a single bed cell could accomodate 3 prisoners instead of 1.

For example: Each day is divided into three 8-hour segments. During the 1st "shift" Prisoner "A" gets a meal (in the cell) and spends the remainder of the time sleeping. He must put on and take off linens on his cot and is given a small storage compartment for storing personal items he would need. Prisoner "B" gets a meal and spends time working or going to classes. Prisoner "C" gets a meal and spends time studying, showering, exercising, reading, etc. (NO television except for news and educational/documentary type programs).

While, of course, there would be logistical and organizational issues to be worked out, this system could provide for the needs of the inmate (sleep, food, education, self-improvement) while making optimum use of the facilities.

BrendaBee says:

"There are no “victimless crimes” with the possible exceptions of prostitution and gambling. Addicts need money and steal to get it."

Yes, STEALING is a crime with a victim. Drug use is not. If someone steals, then you arrest them for stealing.

You're making the worse-than-absurd assertion that using drugs will make you steal something. I have no doubt that some people steal in order to support their drug habits, but that in no way means that drug use should be illegal.

If I rob others so that I could play golf, does that mean that golf should be outlawed? If I rob others so that I could buy children ice cream, does that mean that buying children ice cream should be outlawed?

I gotta agree with Paul .. jail-time for most Drug-ies is at best counter productive.

For most, as currently implented - jail-time is counter productive.

Gotta agree with Paul and JDR on this one. If people wanna get high, let em. (As long as their adults)

Darryl,
You are to be commended. You bring the debate back to center. Thanks.

I wonder what Paul and JDR, and Yellow dog would say they would say when the police come and tell your your love 0ne has been killed in a car wreck by a drug head. It to damn late after someone is dead to put them in jail.

I'd know that most likely the "Drug" was Alcohol.

Get real Dog.

In this case I am talking about it was drugs. You have a point that most of the time it alcohol.
The point we where talking about was drugs, not alcohol.If you do not know the facts , maybe you need to be be quite.I just pray this never happens to you.

wait .. are you saying ethanol - aka alcohol - made from corn (and other things) is not a "drug"? Is Tobacco? How about Sugar?

The list goes on forever - and the point being MOST things we call "Illegal Drugs" are illegal due to political BS - for example Marijuana was first made illegal because it was used by Black-Folk.

Now I'm not condoning things like Meth' or Crack - but Alcohol has and continues to kill more folks than Pot, but because it is legal we tend to call it not a drug. Ditto, excessive sugar causes diabetes and one can state a million substances that are legal and more harmful than many so-called "Illegal Drugs" - OK, they're "Illegal", but only due to Politics are they more a bad drug than the million other substances.

Here's a joke I made up with a moral story:

What's the only bad thing about Cocaine?

Running Out.

The Moral Story: It's not the Coke that's so bad (although it is - remember this is in joke context) - it's the OTHER crimes that are comitted in the quest for more.

Bunny,

I really like your idea. I'm sure the ACLU would have a field day with it, but jail isn't suppose to be a place you want to go to...

JDR, I agree with you regarding alcohol and the majority of the posting made. However, I must take issue with one point; "...excessive sugar causes diabetes...." JDR, I am a Jjuvenile/Type I/Insulin Dependent diabetic (37 years). I did not develop diabetes due to "excessive sugar." I developed diabetes due to a genetic factor, nothing else.

I hope that my comments are taken in the informative manner that I was seeking. Lumping diabetes solely into the "excessive sugar" group equates to the point sought to be made with alcohol being a drug.

Shalom

Right on, Mr. Elledge.

I have an idea, stick them all on buses and move them around everyday so only one prison looks crowded at a time. That will solve the problem, right?

Taking drugs that alter the function of the brain so as to make the individual a danger to society is a CRIME. I don't care what you SA's say. I have been the victim of drug users and have had friends and family who have been victims; in two cases the victims died. I personally don't care if they put these people in a jail cell or toss them into a deep black pit just get them out of my world!

You're Right , BrendaBee .. I've never seen anyone's brain function impaired by alcohol, and certainly no crimes have ever committed while under the influence.

My appologies.

Really have learned a lot from these comments. I agree with the comparison of alcohol and pot. Used excessively and irresponsibly, both are harmful. They should both be legal or both be illegal.

"Having your home burglarized is a violation of self..."

While that is true, about the only thing you'll catch a pot-head breaking into is a bag of cheetos. Furthermore most pot-heads lack the motivation to get off the couch and drive somewhere anyway.

Now if for some reason a pot-head did manage to get off the couch and drive somewhere while intoxicated; I'd agree with mrproduce. Make them spend a few months out in a tent with nothing but hard labor and their thoughts to keep them occupied.

If they need jail space, why not buy up some houses out near the Cardinal and put the jail in the center of the noise cone at PTI? Who cares if the planes fly 24/7 over a jail? We could make this a win/win for the county by buying up land from people who don't want to live near an airport, and put the prisoners there!

Produnce, if you're out there, weigh in on this!