Empty prison beds
The MRJ ran this article on empty prison beds in Cheshire (by Leslie Hutchison).
During a "three strikes" rally in Cheshire on Wednesday, Adinolfi called for filling the 300 empty beds at the Cheshire Correctional Institution.Tim White
"I couldn't believe it," said Rep. Mary G. Fritz, D-Yalesville, whose district includes the Cheshire prison. "I don't expect it's true. There is no way there are 300 empty cells in Cheshire."
What Adinolfi referred to, she believes, is the so-called North Block, a section of the oldest building at the prison that has not been modernized.
"There are big problems there; a lack of sight lines," Fritz said. "The Department of Correction doesn't consider it safe," she added.
"It's been rejuvenated," Adinolfi said. "They claim if there's an emergency," it can be used. He wants the department to use the Cheshire prison to house more inmates while the state is building a new prison or expanding the existing facility in Cheshire.
16 comments:
Dear DOC,
There IS an emergency! Habitual, violent thugs are walking our streets! Fill up these empty calls and build more. Are you listening, legislators and judges?
Impatiently,
We the People
If I had a dollar for every excuse I've heard from the Department of Correction, Parole Board Chairman Farr, and Judiciary Committee Chairman Lawlor I would be able to buy Microsoft and pay Bill Gates a salary to run it
The "experts" created this debacle and have no interest in fixing it
most people in jail are there for violation of probation on a drug charge. Not violent thugs. The drug laws are to blame.
last time I checked most drug dealers carried and used guns
"last time I checked most drug dealers carried and used guns "
http://www.icjia.state.il.us/public/index.cfm?metasection=Publications&metapage=OGA0103&printerfriendly
Proportions armed when arrested
"In general, an average of only 3 percent of the DUF participants reported that they were armed with a gun when they were arrested. Two percent of the participants in Chicago stated that they had been armed at arrest. "
while
"a sizeable minority of subjects believe drug dealers carry guns (41 percent)"
There may be better studies to point to out there. I only did a cursory search.
I support 3 strikes legislation that is mandatory...not permissible for violent offenders. I support the building of more prisons to house these crooks. If our taxes go up because of it...thats fine with me. If its a choice of paying more money out of my pocket each year to enhance our public safety or risking another innocent family being wiped out...I vote to pay the piper. What say you Tim ???
9:27 I agree.
"In general, an average of only 3 percent of the DUF participants reported that they were armed with a gun WHEN THEY WERE ARRESTED"
As I recall, Son of Sam wasn't armed when he got caught. Did that make him nonviolent?
Maybe the CT Democrats will adopt the approach Noway is using for corrections, as it would solve the prison overcrowding problem
http://blogs.dailymail.com/donsurber/2007/08/19/norwegian-woodenheads/
Norway had a unique way of handling crime. Criminals were tried, convicted and sentenced just like anywhere else. But then it was left up to the convict to decide if he would actually serve his sentence.
And of course, this does not work. Small wonder that Norway’s reported crime rate is double that of the United States. Police in Oslo are overwhelmed by crime. And a Norwegian newspaper reported that 70% of “Norwegians have no faith that they’ll get any help if someone breaks into their home.”
The problem is that until recently, there was no law that required a criminal to report to prison to fulfill his sentencing. Surprisingly, 80% showed up. Only 20% of the convicted criminals decided not to volunteer for prison time.
“It’s difficult to make plans for the prison terms when we have no idea who will show up and who won’t,” said Ellinor Houm, director of the Norwegian Correctional Services, section for eastern Norway.
With fewer criminals showing up here than in any other part of Norway, Houm’s in charge of prisons with many empty beds. So far this year, every fourth criminal has not bothered to turn up at the prison gates in eastern Norway."
Building more prisons is not the answer.
Better assessment of who is really qualified for parole is more important. Look at time off for good behavior. It seems like good behavior automatically reduces the sentence, why? Let's get rid of the automatic reduction for good behavior.
If you want longer sentences, then you want more prison beds.
Trying to be "nuanced" is how we got into this damm problem in the first place
There is no easy solution to this problem. By making prison a nice place to be doesn't deter people from committing the crime. Nice doesn't work and we have seen the results. Let's try not being as nice and maybe they will think twice. It's worth a try and doesn't cost much. By the way, I hope this will keep them empty. That's the goal isn't it?
To Anon 9:34...."Look at time off for good behavior. It seems like good behavior automatically reduces the sentence, why? Let's get rid of the automatic reduction for good behavior."
I think you need to check facts out.....there is no more good time credit....that is the old law. Now, Parole is 50% for "non-violent" and 85% for violent offenses. 300 to 400 "emergency housing" beds at Cheshire are empty...time to look at designating more offenses as violent?????
Let's not have any reduction for politicos and anyone that abuses their position in any government, local, state and quasi.
These are the worst type of non-violent criminals. They affect peoples trust in gov't.
Just remember - more beds in use at the prison means more toliets being flushed and more showers. The cost to Cheshire - more stress on the waste water treament center and increased operating costs - and possible expansion. So 'we the people' be ready to pay with your tax dollars if your wish comes true.
300 empty beds...... Are you serious? An entire prison facility is being unused in Cheshire. Maloney Correctional, it was built as a womans prison or a boot camp or something, and has gone unfilled for years!!!!
It could house "nonviolent" offenders fine. There is already housing, cafateria, and recreation facilities in place
"has gone unfilled for years!!!!
It cost over $100 million. It was suppose to be the answer to turn young low level offenders away from crime by following a type of boot camp training.
It was soon abandoned and the last I heard, it was being used for administartive purposes. Does anyone know differently?
So there you are, another $100,000,000 %^*&$ away.
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