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The True Meaning of Corrections |
Current rating: 0 |
by Anthony Bennett via Brian Dolinar
Email: briandolinar (nospam) gmail.com (unverified!) |
28 Jul 2006
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This is an article submitted for publication at the IMC from Anthony Bennett who is currently in prison. He submitted it through Books to Prisoners, a working group of the IMC that mails books to prisoners based on their requests and publishes the writing and art of prisoners: http://books2prisoners.org/. |
“The True Meaning of Corrections”
By Anthony Bennett
There lies a small “fortress” within the walls of Menard Correctional Center where the inhabitants are subjected to conditions beyond the scope of unusual punishment. The segregation unit of Menard C.C. is the leading point in the system of “corrections” where the paradigm is to purposely implement any methods that completely inflict emotional, physical, and psychological distress under the falsehood of security. The goal is to strip away all means of human decency one may possess in order to rehabilitate them by the elimination of independence, self-worth, and self-respect in exchange for compliance, fear, and control. Any individual that will easily accept whatever “correctional programming” is handed out is looked upon favorably in the eyes of the correctional personnel.
As an inmate in the segregation unit, you will be placed in a tiny, decrepit, steel cage barely big enough for one person for 24 hours a day. Most cells have a solid steel door with pinpoint holes drilled at the bottom for “air” (for there are no windows in the cells). These cells become unbearable during hot weather and are used as a punishment to gain compliance and decrease emotional and physical distress as well as limit contact with staff and other inmates. The plain white walls in your cell are extremely filthy from years of bacteria and fungus build up, for the walls never get a chance to get properly cleaned because the officers do not distribute cleaning supplies. The majority of the time you will have to use your own soap and towels purchased from commissary to “clean” your cell.
In this cell is where all your time will be spent eating, drinking, bathing, reading writing, and sleeping. The only time you will leave your cell is once a week for yard and a shower (which is even dirtier than your cell). Whenever you do get a chance to leave your cell, you are escorted handcuffed by an officer who walks with you with a metal chain connected to the handcuffs like a dog leash.
Once you are assigned to a cell, you are given 2 bars of state-issued soap (similar to those given out free at hotels) which must last you for a week, one roll of toilet paper, an utterly filthy mattress and pillow, 2 sheets, a very small toothbrush, toothpaste, and one blanket. You are not given any of your personal property such as underwear, T-shirt, letters, legal materials, pictures, etc. for approximately 10 days. You are given a tan-colored jumpsuit, which if you’re lucky isn’t torn or ripped.
Within a few days, you are given a cellmate. The two of you will remain in a less than 5 feet by 10 feet cell for every waking moment until you get out of segregation. The two of you must endure the painstakingly stark conditions of a “two-man” cell, which the administration intentionally inflicts for the purpose of making you less human. In these “two-man” cells, you and your “celly” must struggle to move about in the cell, a virtually impossible task since the bunk bed, toilet, sink, and desk occupy nearly all of the floor space. And without adequate ventilation, the air has an acrid smell. You are locked away in the cell with a complete stranger for 24 hours a day with no prior knowledge of this person. The officer will not try to move you if conflict arises, unless violence occurs.
Without support from your family, it is hard to break the monotony of life in Menard segregation, for there is no access to reading material without breaking the rules and receiving a disciplinary ticket, furthering your days in segregation. There is no access to educational programs, neither through the institution or from the outside. You cannot have a TV or radio unless you had one before you came to segregation and are qualified to get it (which many people aren’t). By not having any means to entertain yourself, one tends to break down mentally, which is exactly what the administration wants.
Maintaining a peace of mind, despite the circumstances, is often difficult. Not only do you have to deal with the constant, brazen noise of yelling, stomping, screaming, and banging on beds, doors, walls, sinks, and toilets, but also the fear of being harassed – not by inmates, but by the police, whose duty is to serve and protect. Many officers blatantly beat on inmates without no cause. You are in a constant risk of being “shaken down” and having your property destroyed, your water turned off, or your lights constantly turned on; of being placed in a cell with another inmate who is known to have psychiatric problems or is a known homosexual; or being denied food, shower, yard, medical attention, or mail – especially if you have taken legal action against the institution.
This is briefly what the Menard segregation experience is like. A dull, filthy, restrictive environment is where you will reside if the administration feels you are the slightest threat to their operation. I have been in segregation for a total of 18 and one half months and have witnessed things that no human should be subjected to, no matter what the reason may be. Myself and others have been left completely nude in a cell with no water or property and been mercilessly beaten by officers. I have participated in many forms of non-violent resistance, many to no avail. I’ve come to the realization that no matter what methods are used to defeat it, the truth can never be conquered. I have taken steps to build myself as my own person by reading and meditating. By doing this, I can become mentally strong enough to tear down the strongholds placed before me, not only by the prison system, but society as well. I refuse to let life’s interferences deter me from developing myself into a positive and productive individual. I will not be entrapped! |
This work is in the public domain. |
Comments
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by /
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Current rating: 0
28 Jul 2006
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by HUH?
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
29 Jul 2006
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B/S…. BD here you are the sheep and you are being led. I used to work at Menard and am very knowledgeable of what goes on there.
“As an inmate in the segregation unit, you will be placed in a tiny, decrepit, steel cage barely big enough for one person for 24 hours a day.”
This is true they are approximately 6X9 (not sure of the exact size though, never measured them).
“Most cells have a solid steel door with pinpoint holes drilled at the bottom for “air” (for there are no windows in the cells).”
There is a small window at the top of the door that is used to look in the cell during the inmate counts. Counts are conducted several times a day. There is also a food slot in the middle of the door. The food slot is always closed unless handcuffing of feeding is being done. Both of these tasks are completed through the food slot for the safety of the correctional officers (C/O). The window can also be covered and usually is when the inmate inside the cell is being unruly.
“These cells become unbearable during hot weather and are used as a punishment to gain compliance and decrease emotional and physical distress as well as limit contact with staff and other inmates.”
The cells do become very hot but all of the cell houses are that way. The C/O’s are just as miserable in the same cell house. There is very limited contact with the inmates in segregation because most of them are there for assaults on C/O’s or other inmates. The few inmates that are there for other reason can range from multiple violations of the same rules (for example, not locking up so a count can be conducted or shift change). Drugs, sexual misconduct in the visiting room, and certain contraband (i.e. weapon material) will also get you placed in seg. These are the reason for the limited contact, officer safety. They didn’t just ask for seconds in the food line.
“The plain white walls in your cell are extremely filthy from years of bacteria and fungus build up, for the walls never get a chance to get properly cleaned because the officers do not distribute cleaning supplies.”
They do not issue cleaning supplies because they are dangerous to the C/O’s. They were issued in the general population houses when I worked there and I have witnessed numerous times when bleach was thrown in the eyes of the C/O’s. All of the cell houses have workers (trustees, if you will) that clean the cells. This is usually done before the cell is occupied. Granted, this is not done every time but if the cell is in such condition that it requires it, it will be done.
“The majority of the time you will have to use your own soap and towels purchased from commissary to “clean” your cell.”
True, they will usually use their own supplies to clean the toilet and sink.
“In this cell is where all your time will be spent eating, drinking, bathing, reading writing, and sleeping. The only time you will leave your cell is once a week for yard and a shower (which is even dirtier than your cell). Whenever you do get a chance to leave your cell, you are escorted handcuffed by an officer who walks with you with a metal chain connected to the handcuffs like a dog leash.”
True again. And yet they still try to pull away from you to talk with someone way down the gallery in the opposite direction. They violated the laws set by society to get into the correctional system. Once inside, they violated the rules of the correctional system and got placed in segregation. Now they are trying to violate the rules set by segregation to run around and socialize. Segregation is a set amount of time for discipline; follow the rules and earn your privileges back.
“Once you are assigned to a cell, you are given 2 bars of state-issued soap (similar to those given out free at hotels) which must last you for a week, one roll of toilet paper, an utterly filthy mattress and pillow, 2 sheets, a very small toothbrush, toothpaste, and one blanket. You are not given any of your personal property such as underwear, T-shirt, letters, legal materials, pictures, etc. for approximately 10 days. You are given a tan-colored jumpsuit, which if you’re lucky isn’t torn or ripped.”
You are given toiletries, if they run out all you need to do is ask for more. This can be done at one of the several counts, feedings, hospital calls or when the med tech or paralegals makes their rounds. The mattress, pillow and sheets came from your original cell. Personal property is held for several days. Come on, this is a disciplinary unit for those that could not conform to the correctional facility. You were not chosen at random to go to seg. You elected to do so by your actions.
I could continue but I won’t. I am not naïve and will not be led around by emotions based upon false fables. I will reiterate these people could not follow the laws set by you (society) so they were incarcerated in a correctional facility. Once there, they could not follow those rules either so they were moved to a disciplinary unit (segregation). Now they want you to feel sorry for them. Maybe it wasn’t your house that was burglarized or your family member that got assaulted, raped or killed but how about a little compassion for the victim. Menard is a maximum-security prison. They are not there for shoplifting a DVD from Walmart.
It is time we get back to accepting reasonability for your own actions. We are not children. We need to act like adults and stop blaming others for our actions. They put their selves in that situation now they need to deal with it without crying to others. Oh yeah BD, if you still want to help them I am sure each inmate in the Department of Corrections could use an extra $5.00 on his books each month. I can send you the address to each facility. |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by GreenGuy
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
29 Jul 2006
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Imagine that.
A place for punishment of those who broke the law. A place without the simple amenities of the life of free citizens. A place so generally uncomfortable that it feels like daily punishment for a crime.
It's almost like...like a prison.
I'll say it again - arguing against the semantics of the name of the DOC is pretty darn weak.
I don't think anyone in their right mind (without an agenda) thinks that "corrections" is the sole purpose of a prison. Try "punishment." |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by Been to Menard
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
29 Jul 2006
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You can check out why Anthony Bennett is doing time by running an inmate search at :
http://www.idoc.state.il.us/subsections/search/default.asp
There are three Anthony Bennetts, one of whom is at Menard. If this is the correct one, he's doing time for criminal sexual abuse. There is a reason he is in Menard. It's not supposed to be the Holiday Inn. |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by HUH?
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
30 Jul 2006
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Did you know the inmates get cable television? Not only that but the LTS (leisure time services) workers also provide newly released videos. They are broadcast through their cable service on the weekends. So what if an inmate can’t afford a TV to watch these programs? The state will give them one to use throughout their incarceration. They can also get a radio the same way. On top of all of that, the state will also give them $10.00 a month to spend at the commissary for doing absolutely nothing. This measly $10.00 may not sound like much but figure it into the big picture. There are approximately 44,054 inmates housed in Illinois. 44,054 X $10.00 = $440,540.00 a month; $5,286,480.00 a year for doing absolutely nothing. (They already get everything they need; this is just for luxury items). The average cost for an incarcerated inmate in Illinois is $21,844.00 (2001 figure). With the recidivism rate and all of the amenities of the IDOC, should we continue to make life easier in the “correctional” facilities?
I think the incarcerated should go back to hard labor. Since they violated the rules of society, now make them contribute to the society. Why should we continue to have to support and coddle them?
As you can tell by now, I will not be donating any books to that cause…….. |
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The True Meaning of Corrections |
by Philip Stinard
pstinard (nospam) hotmail.com (verified) |
Current rating: 0
31 Jul 2006
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Click on image for a larger version
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This discussion of Menard reminds me of when I used to visit my baby brother Angel when he was housed there. (He's since been transferred to another correctional institution.) I used to visit him in this section of the prison for non-contact visits. There are three crosses on the outside of the stairwell that I ascended to get to the visiting room. Two are visible in this photo. They always reminded me of Jesus' last hours on the cross (Luke 23:33-43):
When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One." The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!" Now there was also an inscription above Him, "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."
Angel was in segregation for six months, and he came out a stronger man. One thing that I admire about him is that he always admitted that he had done wrong, and never complained about his punishment. That is the true meaning of corrections. |
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The True Meaning of Corrections |
by Philip Stinard
pstinard (nospam) hotmail.com (verified) |
Current rating: 0
31 Jul 2006
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Click on image for a larger version
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My baby brother Angel designed this tattoo for me, and I had it done by a local tattoo artist. The symbolism is this: The scrolls are broken because we're separated, but they'll be completed when he is out of prison. The heart represents brotherly love, and the cross on top means that God is first. The prison bars on the left represent captivity and darkness, and the rising sun on the right represents the transformation to freedom and light through the cross. I tell my little brother that I carry him on my back wherever I go. Pretty cool, huh? |
See also:
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/101528
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by Aaron Ammons
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
31 Jul 2006
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Interesting that prisons were designed to rehabilitate citizens and offer them more alternatives to a life of crime. What is it about beatings and incarceration that we think rehabilitates people or inspires them to do what's right? Barbaric ideas such as "holes" and slots for "handcuffing and feeding". It sounds like zoos or slave owners salvaging their cargo! The lack of compassion and the arrogance of those who claim to be civilized is always evident in the fact that they themselves commit "crimes" and they don't get caught or they pay for effective lawyers who are able to deal in their behalf, then they look down their noses at the poverty stricken adn the mis-educated masses. What's wrong with you to make you think like that? |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by BD
BD (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
31 Jul 2006
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Pretty cool, Phil.
Thanks for the story.
When we put a face on "criminals" and share that we have friends, family members, and loved ones who are on the inside, it humanizes the idea of "corrections."
When we put up walls between ourselves, everyone is dehumanized in the process.
BD |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by HUH?
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
31 Jul 2006
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Actually, prisons were originally designed for punishment. They changed years ago to correctional facilities but they were originally designed for punishment. Check your history. Now when you mention the beatings, is that referring to the inmates assaulting the guards? Stabbing them with homemade shanks? Broken broom handles? Throwing bleach into their eyes? Three or four of them beating a single guard so severely, they ruptured his internal organs. If you think this does not go on, I can post several newspaper clippings. How about the female employee that was raped by numerous inmates during a riot? Was this found on the inmates road to rehabilitation?
As I stated, I used to work for the IDOC so I do know what goes on there. From your statements, I believe you also know what goes on there but I believe we were on opposite sides of the bars (no offense). Therefore, we will look at things differently. I have never done anything that would place me within the prison system and have no sympathy for those who can’t live by the rules of society. I am not talking about shoplifting or caught with a gram or two of weed. This will not get you placed in prison for your first or second offense. I understand we were all young once and can make a mistake or two. I am talking about the people who burglarize your residence, sexually assault our family members, rob our businesses and cause great bodily harm to others. These are some of the offenses that you get lengthy prison terms, so why should I sympathize with them or show them any compassion? They didn’t show any to their victims.
As far as the “barbaric conditions” you state, these are necessary for the safety of the guards guarding the inmates. The inmates are not capable at that time to roam free in society. They have proven that and that is why they are locked up and away from society. Should they just run loose in a confined area like the movie Escape from New York? If there is no discipline within an institution (prison system), you will have chaos and the strong will prey on the weak. The guards not only protect society from the inmates but the inmates from one another; therefore, guards must be intermix with the inmates. Since that is the case the safety of the guards must be protected. Hence, bars and steel doors.
Now you play the poverty card and try to blame their transgressions on society since they were poor. As I stated earlier ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS. Many of us were poor and did not break into houses and stick guns in people’s faces to take their money. There are many grants out there to further educate ourselves, USE THEM. You are responsible for your own growth in life. If you are too lazy and choose to sell drugs or rob people, I will not feel sorry for you.
As far as Angel, he accepted the responsibility of his actions. I am sure he will benefit or at least conform to society standards upon his release. Sometimes the correctional system does work. His story is the start of proving it. |
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Must look beyond symptoms to escape perpetual war! |
by we are power
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
01 Aug 2006
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I would like to point out something that I never see brought up even in "alternative" media. That is, that the actions of people labled criminals are usually de-contextualized. --They are NEVER allowed to be understood in a way promoting our common humanity!
I have been a victim of violence, several times, yet, like Rodney King, I call for ways in which we may truly get along.
We need to begin looking deeper than the surfaces which we are forever encouraged to react from.
This isn't to say that we allow authoritarians (of whatever stripe) to trample us; no, this is to say that we *finally* begin to understand things by thinking them through and putting ourselves in the shoes of other human beings reduced to their rebellion from the imposed norms of "society".
This could become a long article, but I'll refrain and try to stick to the point.
First of all, the kind of society we live in gives us no other interpretation but the most irrational and mystified ones (i.e. "criminals are unrepentant enemies of Good folks"). Thus, when largely inarticulate rebels of imposed society vent out their frustrations of, say, for example, intuitive anger against the imposition of being pushed into the uniformity of "being a man" and "breadwinner" (etc.), people naturally rebel; and unfortunately fall back on the frames of references they have been led to "know" and trust---those all around them. Namely, more alienation, more relatively microscopic violence.
You read Noam Chomsky's institutional analysis on social and cultural managers and you see that there is a concerted effort to keep us hysterical *at* each other, and not the origins of our shared challenges.
So "naturally" frustrated folks (of all stripes, formal and informal) pick up those alternatives; corralled and limited, to be sure, but to the domesticated (as so many of us cannot help being), they have found something--at least *something*...*some* way of seeming "escape" from the insanity that their intuition rebels from.
Thus venting out, scapegoating their powerlessness, their frustrations, on relatively easy targets, like the haggard worker who takes their frustration out on their girl-friend, or the wife who beats the "misbehaving" kids.
We are not to think this through. We are only given permission to react and implement the severely alienated "solutions" of war-oriented society. These visions of another possible way of life are not allowed to become serious in our minds, after all. We are prohibited from even giving ourselves permission to seriously explore worlds beyond those Given.
Beginning to see these truths, we begin waking up from the fogs that have kept us entranced. Now, to realize the value of being beautiful with each other. Again, not naively; but radically thoughtful with our desires for sanity and beauty leading our hearts and imaginations and mind-set, despite the easy tendency to cynicism and self-defeat.
It is good to see the employee of the prison and the prisoner have a place to possibly have conversation. Now, if they could only move beyond the enfortressed fears that keep each of them so alienated from each other! |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by Philip Stinard
pstinard (nospam) hotmail.com (verified) |
Current rating: 0
02 Aug 2006
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Of the people who have posted on this topic so far, I think that "HUH?" has the most realistic view of what prisons are for, and what prisons are like. Maximum security facilities like Menard are not full of people who are simply misunderstood. The inmates there are serving time for serious crimes or repeat offenses. I don't harbor any illusions.
I admire the correctional officers who have worked at these facilities for years and have still retained their humanity. I've met a few, and your work is appreciated. These are people who will give an inmate a chance to prove him or herself, and give respect to those who earn it. In Angel's case, I met a guard who would very matter-of-factly talk to me about Angel's situation, and whether he was getting into trouble, and that would help me help him. I appreciate HUH?'s confidence in Angel making it when he gets out. I share his confidence, but I realize that it will take a lot of work on Angel's part. It's not easy doing things the right way when you've gotten used to taking short cuts. There will be a lot of temptations. I'll be there to help him work through all that, and that's the kind of help these inmates need. I'll keep people posted on Angel's progress, and with God's grace, Angel will be able to tell you himself one day.
I understand HUH?'s frustration with people who have a simplistic view of these facilities, but if the inmates are going to be rehabilitated, it will take people who take an interest in helping them out, whether it's sending a book, corresponding with them, or visiting them. If you do this kind of work, you have to have your eyes wide open, and be aware that some people will try to con you. So, please donate books, and if you don't want to give them directly to Books to Prisoners, you can send them directly to an inmate yourself. I don't know how up-to-date it is, but you can find a list of specific book requests at:
http://books2prisoners.org/system/requests.php
and look up the inmate number on the IDOC search page (http://www.idoc.state.il.us/subsections/search/default.asp) to find the prisoner's name and address. It's your chance to send in a book and influence someone's mind for the better. Plus, the books are often circulated from one inmate to another.
With regard to the last comment by "we are the power," crime and punishment have existed for thousands of years, so the situation isn't something new that Noam Chomsky suddenly discovered, nor is it unique to our "war-oriented" society. It's a part of the human condition, and how society deals with it will always be debated, but I don't think that being "radically thoughtful with our desires for sanity and beauty" is going to be much help when someone sticks a gun in your back. I'm not being cynical, I'm just being realistic. My mind is not in such a fog as to think that most criminals are "naturally frustrated folk," "venting out, scapegoating their powerlessness, their frustrations, on relatively easy targets." It's more about seeing something that you want that's easy to take, and taking it. |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by AA
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
03 Aug 2006
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tanks for the history lesson about prisons. It only drives my point home of te bararism on te mindsets of the "ruling class" those who "conquered" and now get to set the rules, yo know the "civilized" Europeans. People do end p in prison for petty weed charges and petty thefts where do yo live? Furthermore, we can pick out instnaces on both sides where attacks occur guards and inmates. The point of the conversation is do we think that incarceration withot rehabilitation/education and empowerment will change the otcome of the individual? With harsher sentencing and deathpenalties in place the crimes are still being committed, why,huh? By the way I've never been to prison, none taken. |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by Aaron Ammons
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
03 Aug 2006
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You say accept respnosibilities for my own actions. Boy I tell ya, it's amazing the bullshit people kick around to justify thier illogical and absurd perceptions. SLAVERY ring a bell? have you or yours accepted that responsibiltiy and been held accountable for those actions? Hell NO! So do yourself and us a favor and beging the discourse where it really begins. How about those forty acres and that mule, I'll take it! Hopw about free college for forty generations of African people and free health care for for forty generations so we can establish businesses and enterprises that can compete with those that whites have established from
FREE LABOR! I wonder if our choices were different would we still be in this condition of self hate and suffering from being at the bottom of the capitalism barrel. Yes poor people commit crimes, is it a crime to invade another soverign nation and kill it's citizens, imprison its President because we are paranoid that they might do what we have already done (Native americans, African Americans, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, why not go for the Arabs and the Palestinians, huh?)America is suppose to be the melting pot, home of the free, the broken masses and all that shit. The point is that we are suppose to be the light for humanity. why are we incarcerating more people than any other "civilized nation" and why in 2006 are we still enslaving peole of color? Because of engrained prejudices,white privilege and a barbaric sense of resolving problems i,e prisons to "punish" people for mistakes and in some cases deliberate actions derived from anger, poverty or the violent fabric of this nation (remember how the West was "won"? Annihalating the indengenous people and polluting the earth....Do you live in the hood, how many people in the hood actually know something about grants and 501c3's etc? this is my point exactly, there is no reall education going on that will afford people of lesser means the chance to rise. sure there are oppurtunities for those who have been awakened to teh knowledge of themselves but for those still mis-educated and disunified due to thier conditioning, what do expect from them? i say we are setting ourselves up for premeditated dissapointment if we don't educate the population properly, including the prinsoners. |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by Local Yocal
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
03 Aug 2006
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I would consider Huh?'s concern for victim rights and punishment if three things were in place:
1) Our courtrooms were actually places of truth. As of now, in the culture of secret informants, perjured testimony, bribed informants paid with lenient sentences in their own cases, politically ambitious attorneys, falsified police reports, overwhelmed public defenders, all-white juries, arrogant judges and job security incentives to imprison more and more people; we cannot be certain that every one in jail deserves to be there. If we in Illinois, got 50% of the most scrutinized cases there are, capital murder cases, if we had to let 50% of those people go because the prosecutors and cops jailed the wrong man, then what guarantees have we those 45,000 felony convictions in Illinois are actually true?
2) Prosecutors and officers caught deliberately misleading a jury or court proceeding are charged with a felony and face jail time. Let's make it a non-probational offense.
3) Stop imprisoning non-violent offenders. Writs of Habeus Corpus for all those imprisoned on drug charges and theft charges. Now.
Even with those 3 things in place, the policies Huh? advocates are eye for an eye stuff that never stops crime and violence- it only fuels it.
Some prisoners have lost their minds, no doubt about it. And there are some special cases where solitary confinement for awhile for the extremely violent is possible.
The majority of imprisonments, however, are a waste of everyone's money and time and give nothing back to the people. The worst taxpayer buy there is, with the worst return on investment, remains the prison industry. |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by HUH?
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
03 Aug 2006
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So when were you held as a slave? I know I have never owned a slave.
You have to stop playing the race card. It is getting very old and has been played so much, it holds absolutely no value anymore. Every posting on this board that you respond to you find someway to twist it around and refer to the black race being mistreated. (BD is running a close and strong second to you). If you (personally) was held as a slave, I apologize and will start taking your post closer to heart; otherwise, enough is enough. Yes, there were slaves in the past and apparently, you have a problem with the white race. I am sorry but there is nothing I can do about that. Some Vietnamese held a relative captive in the Vietnam War. Should I feel the same amount of hate and anger towards the Vietnamese as you do white people? I guarantee some of the captives were treated every bit as bad as some of the slaves were. In my post, I stated, “accept responsibility for YOUR actions”. I did not say accept responsibility for your ancestor’s actions, your friend’s actions or your race’s actions. This is beyond our control.
YOU WROTE: “Do you live in the hood, how many people in the hood actually know something about grants and 501c3's etc? this is my point exactly, there is no reall education going on that will afford people of lesser means the chance to rise. sure there are oppurtunities for those who have been awakened to teh knowledge of themselves but for those still mis-educated and disunified due to thier conditioning, what do expect from them? i say we are setting ourselves up for premeditated dissapointment if we don't educate the population properly, including the prinsoners”.
I live in a neighborhood. A nice middle class neighborhood that I had to work my but off to obtain. I went to elementary school and then on to high school. The same opportunities that everyone else has. After graduating high school, I went to work in factories. I discovered there was no future in it so I went to college. I used the grants that were available such as the Pell and student loans. I finished college and managed to get a nice middle class career. All of these options are available to every American citizen regardless of race, color or creed. Now you cannot be lazy and expect success immediately. This path has to be taken with the understanding that it requires hard work and dedication. I worked full time in a factory and attended 1 or 2 classes a semester. I had no free time for several years but I was determined and realized the pay off at the end.
This is what is meant by the American Dream. Everyone has the some opportunities to progress as far in this life as they so chose. You just have to have the determination to work for it. If you are hollering that in today’s society you are being held down by the “white man”, you are just lazy. There are so many prominent people from the black race; I could spend the next year of my life listing them. Since they had a greater determination then I and worked harder, should I start yelling racism.
This post is already longer then I had intended and could go on for several more pages but I will stop here and leave with just stating again; the opportunities are there for everyone that wants them with determination, nothing is given without earning it. Stop being lazy. |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by What?
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
03 Aug 2006
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Huh? assumes the opportunities are afforded to everyone. Let's change Huh?'s color to black, and see if this is how his life would go, an experience more common to black folks and clearly outside the realm of Huh?'s understanding: Would your life go in the direction it went had you grown up black in Champaign-Urbana? |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by Social Justice
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
05 Aug 2006
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HUH doesn't seem to understand the complex system of oppression, and what happens to groups of people who have been oppressed over long periods of time. As a White woman, I understand that I am privileged just by virtue of being White. There are lots of things that I can do without being hassled (because I'm White), like walking in a store and not being immediately followed, walking down the street and not having people be immediately afraid of me, not having people immediately assume I may be poor or uneducated, etc. There is a very large box of invisible privilege that White people carry with them whereever they go. And most of us cannot see it, and we certainly don't want to think of ourselves as "privileged," so we deny it and believe naievely that the same opportunity exists for everyone. Except . . . it doesn't. |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by Churchgoer
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
06 Aug 2006
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The Champaign Police Department is reaching out to the black community in hiring new police officers. I found the following information in my church bulletin today:
You Can Make A Difference!
City of Champaign
Law Enforcement Job Opportunity
Entry Level Police Officer
Experience Not Required
Training Provided
No Residency Requirement
Join a diverse force of men and women dedicated to serving our community. You can make a difference!
--Excellent opportunities to specialize, advance, and grow await you.
--Previous experience is not required.
--Training provided
--Reesidency not required.
--Excellent starting salary of $45,187 plus outstanding benefits. To get an application and learn more, refer to the City's website at:
www.ci.champaign.il.us, under Employment Opportunities
MINIMUM ELEGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
In order to apply and test for Champaign Police Officer, you must:
--Be at least 21 years of age as of February 26, 2007
--Be a high school graduate or equivalent.
--Have no felony convictions. (Note: A misdemeanor or serious traffic offenses may disqualify applicants from further consideration.)
TESTING PROCESS
(Go to www.ci.champaign.il.us for details.)
--Optional Written Exam Study Session Wed., Sept. 13, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
--Mandatory Orientation Sat., Sept. 30, 8:45 AM - 10:45 AM
--Written Examination Sat., Sept. 30, 11:15 AM
--Optional Physical Abilities Practice Session Sat., Sept. 30, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Physical Abilities Test Sat., Oct. 28, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
--Oral Interviews Nov. 14, 15, & 16
SELECTION PROCESS
The top 100 indivicuals who successfully complete all phases will be placed on an eligibility list. This list will be used when selecting police officers from February 26, 2007 through February 25, 2008.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications to test for the position of Police Officer will be accepted July 24, 2006 - August 25, 2006. The testing information and application form are exclusively on the City of Champaign website. |
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God is good!!! |
by Philip Stinard
pstinard (nospam) hotmail.com (verified) |
Current rating: 0
17 Aug 2006
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God is good, all the time, man. That's one thing that Angel tought me :-). I'm really happy because today, the last impediment to Angel's release was put behind him. He had one final outstanding charge pending against him, and I drove up to Waukegan today to watch the court proceedings. He was facing 6 to 30 more years in prison, and anything could have happened, but he pled guilty and the judge gave him a sentence concurrent to the one he's currently serving, so that means he'll get out on his current schedule.
Angel is a devout Christian, and he is the one who led me to be converted, so I was praying for him every day. We went through a lot of dark times together, but we both had confidence that God would see him through this, and He did. There is no other explanation for what happened today. It was a miracle. We were hopeful, but we were still shocked at the outcome.
Angel has changed the way he lives, and he wants a chance to prove himself outside of prison, and that chance was given to him today. For that, I thank God. |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by nobody special
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
20 Aug 2006
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Oh my god. OK, I can understand how being poor might make you steal something. You need something, you can't pay for it, so you take it. That makes sense. I can even understand getting involved in an illicit, but lucrative business like drug dealing, and even participating in the violence that goes with that.
But this is aggravated sexual assault. Of a CHILD, no less.
Do you ever wonder why nobody really pays attention to the left anymore? Sure, people will try to tell you that it's all about media bias and access to public forums and things like that and probably a bunch of rich white guys sitting around somewhere, making sure nobody says anything to challenge their supremacy, but that doesn't really make a lot of sense. After all, the internet is letting me read and write this, for absolutely free.
No, it's because you say something like this:
"Why should this guy be punished? Don't you understand? He HAD to rape that child! He was POOR! He didn't have a college degree or invisible privileges! How could he NOT rape that kid?!? What choice did he really have?"
And you say this with a straight face, mind you. THAT'S the problem. Even if you COULD somehow get on TV and say this, do you think anyone would listen?
Well guys, I've got to go. Have fun sitting around agreeing with each other and waiting for the revolution to come! |
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Say What? |
by get up on the wrong side of the thread?
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
20 Aug 2006
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You must be having one of those John Mark Karr-esque moments. No one said anything about hurting kids until you brought it up.
Please call 911 if you're feeling confessional. |
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It's More of a Sad Commentary on the Person Who Posted It |
by hmmm
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
20 Aug 2006
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Apparently it's another clumsy attempt at humor by a pathological conservative troll. I find it paradoxically odd that someone attempts to position themselves as morally superior to the left by satirizing images of dead, raped babies.
But if you can sell an aggressive war of choice as the American way to suit your policy goals, why not abused babies? |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by Point of order
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
21 Aug 2006
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nobody special is referring to the sentencing information on Anthony Bennett:
R25820 - BENNETT, ANTHONY
Parent Institution: Menard Correctional Center
Inmate Status: RECEPTION
Location: MENARD
Discharge Reason:
Sex Offender Registry Required
VITALS
Date of Birth: 01-05-1982
Weight: 307 lbs.
Hair: Black
Sex: Male
Height: 5 ft. 08 in.
Race: Black
Eyes: Brown
MARKS, SCARS, & TATTOOS
ADMISSION / RELEASE / DISCHARGE INFO
Custody Date: 11/25/2003
Projected Parole Date: 07/13/2006
Paroled Date: --
Tentative Discharge Date:
Discharge From Parole: 07/13/2008
SENTENCING INFORMATION
MITTIMUS: 03CR0767201
CLASS: 2
COUNT: 1
OFFENSE: AGG CRIM SEX ABUSE/VIC <13
CUSTODY DATE: 03/13/2003
SENTENCE: 6 YEARS 0 MONTHS 0 DAYS
COUNTY: COOK
SENTENCE DISCHARGED?: NO |
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Re: The True Meaning of Corrections |
by Point of order
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
21 Aug 2006
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In case it's not clear, the salient information in the sentencing information is:
Sex Offender Registry Required
and
OFFENSE: AGG CRIM SEX ABUSE/VIC <13
which translates as aggravated criminal sexual abuse, victim under the age of 13. It's a class 2 felony, and he was sentenced to 6 years. |
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It's _Still_ a Sad Commentary on the Person Who Posted It |
by hmmm
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
21 Aug 2006
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Ok, now at least we know WTF you're talking about, but it's still not relevant to this thread, except in a very tangential way that you made no effort to connect with. Those convicted of such offenses often are held in solitary for their own protection. Whether or not that is specifically relevant here is unclear.
Are you suggesting that Mr. Bennett be subject to abusive treatment in prison and we just shouldn't care? That seems totally counterproductive. Maybe it satisfies some sick sense of revenge that you seem to be carrying around. Far too many politicans pander to folks like you and the ironic result is that it likely further aggravates the problem you claim to address. If you need a biblical reason for ensuring that prisoners are treated humanely, remember that the Lord said to judge not, least ye also be judged. Sure, prison time can be deserved, but to carry on something that resembles an inhumane vendetta won't make children safer.
It may not be the case here, but a large proportion of those who abuse children were themselves abused as children. Further abusing someone like that can only aggravate their problems. I fail to see how society is served by that.
After Mr. Bennett has served his time, he will go back into society. Does it serve society to have him further brutalized in prison? No, it does not.
Should your inaccurate stereotype be taken seriously of those who, like I and others are doing, point out that society is best served when we have a humane prison system? I know of no one on the left who believes, as you do, that we should not take action against those who abuse children.The only one making that argument with "a straight face" is YOU.
In other words, all you've done is set up a strawman and knock it down. It proves nothing about those concerned with the injustices in the "justice" system. It says a _lot_ about you, your obsessions, and the general level of your discourse. |
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