Even jail food should have standards

Most people understand that the Sedgwick County Jail isn’t a fine dining experience. "Have it your way" isn’t done there.
But it’s not right that two county commissioners found the food almost inedible when they dropped in Monday for a surprise lunch: Gwen Welshimer said the meatball and mashed potato entree was "not something you feed human beings." Kelly Parks got an upset stomach.
Jail food is by definition institutional and doesn’t aspire to culinary artistry, but it should at least be nutritionally complete, healthy and edible — especially considering that most county jail prisoners are awaiting trial and haven’t yet been found guilty of a crime.
This jail food sounds like cruel and unusual punishment.
Posted by Randy Scholfield

97 Comments

  1. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 1:18 pm | Permalink

    I’m sure GS will be here shortly to tell us what a cushy deal prisoners have what with three hot and a cot and all….

    Oh, and did I mention shelter from the weather and indoor plumbing?

    Livin’ the life o’riley I guess.

  2. brian
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 1:27 pm | Permalink

    Randy’s last statement “This jail food sounds like cruel and unusual punishment” will detract from the potential merits of a public discussion of this topic.While no doubt meant to be facetious, this will be verbal interfence for many people, preventing them from understanding the writer’s intent.

  3. Ben
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 1:33 pm | Permalink

    ” especially considering that most county jail prisoners are awaiting trial and haven’t yet been found guilty of a crime.”

    That is an important point. These are ACCUSED, not CONVICTED in many cases. There have also been many questions raised about medical care (or lack thereof) in County.

  4. littlejohn
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 1:44 pm | Permalink

    I remember many a school lunch back in the day that had little to do with good taste, or even that tasted good. While I agree that they could try harder, how many screams would be heard if taxes were raised to provide a decent meal at say $3/meal instead of $1.10?

  5. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 1:58 pm | Permalink

    lj, with all due respect, you need to watch Supersize Me. School lunches are generally nutritional time bombs, but Morgan Spurlock interviewed folks who were providing fresh organic foods at meals for LESS than the cost of the traditional USDA provided crap.

    We could do the same, not only in schools, but in jails as well. I know this cant be done in Wichita, but our local jail used to feed prisoners baloney sandwiches and cheap tv dinners. Then they contracted with the local hospital to provide meals at less than the cost of the junk they had been serving.

    Win win for jail and hospital.

    And no one is mentioning the long term health care costs that are generated by serving this kinda crap to long term prisoners. Or to folks released, and then need health care to deal with diet related problems.

    I think we could do better with less cost, but it would require not using a can opener as the primary chef’s tool…

  6. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 2:01 pm | Permalink

    …and did I mention the cost of diet related behavior problems?

    The problems of providing sound nutrition for folks who are vegetarian by religion?

    A few years ago Texas started serving no meat in their jails just TVP or textured vegetable protein. It ended up being a big kick back scandal, but who knew you could feed soy meat to everyone and avoid the health problems, religious differences, and cost of real meat?

    heheheh. As long as taste is not a factor…

  7. littlejohn
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 2:05 pm | Permalink

    ummm. You can provide a fresh, organic meal for less than $1.10 per person? Somehow, I doubt that. Regardless, I do think they should provide proper meals. I also think they should be within USDA guidelines. They should also be at least palatable the the general public (of course, that leaves a lot of room :) ) But I think there will be screams when the taxes go up to pay for it.

  8. Keith
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 2:19 pm | Permalink

    I love how Gwen Welshimer said the mashed pototatoes were not peeled and the salad had water on it. She should get a job as the food critic for the Eagle.

    I ate non-peeled potatoes and salad with water on it before and I did not die. Maybe Gwen Welshimer should make the meals for all the inmates since she is such an expert.

  9. Ben
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 2:19 pm | Permalink

    I wonder how much it costs the Lord’s Diner per person.

  10. Ben
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 2:21 pm | Permalink

    Keith – I MAKE my ’smash-a-tatoes’ unpeeled all the time. They taste best that way. However, i DO add a bit more than water when I ’smash’ them.

  11. littlejohn
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 2:21 pm | Permalink

    Hard to tell. As I understand it, a lot of the food is donated.

  12. mrbill
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 2:21 pm | Permalink

    Nonsense, you need to visit Sheriff Joes prison in Maricopa county AZ. He feeds his 10,000 prisoners for 15 cents each. They get 2 slices of outdated bread and baloney. He gets the bread from out of date grocery stores. Uses paper plates, people are “housed” in tents inside a fenced area and they wear PINK striped coveralls.

    And it gets warm in the Arizona desert in a tent. They are usually to hot to fignt or riot. He has also received 287g training for all his officers who can now enforce immmigration law and is starting to fill his prison with illegals to deport.

    The police here want ideas on how to deal with all the drive by shootings here….get the 287g training from ICE then load them all up on a bus for Immigration deporting. No criminal trial that way.

    He doesnt believe in “private run” prisons for profit, they get paid to get people to come back and fill their beds since they get paid by the Full Bed. He “punishes” people, he DOESNT want them to come back.

  13. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 2:41 pm | Permalink

    So rent Supersize Me and see for yourself littlejohn.

    They made SCHOOL LUNCHES from fresh organic food CHEAPER than the usda school lunches.

    If that $1.10 is the usda school lunch price, then it was cheaper than that.

    Like I said, rent the movie and see it for yourself. Or use the damn google!

  14. TDT
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 2:43 pm | Permalink

    I think there is some confusion here as to the difference between jail and prison. Prison is for people to go after they have been convicted. The jail is mainly to house P.V.s, and people awaiting trial. I may have over simplified it, but it’s something to keep in mind. Remember a man was put in “jail” for several weeks for stealing a couple of hot dogs.

  15. littlejohn
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 2:46 pm | Permalink

    Currenlty, it costs our school about $2.50 per person. I don;t need to see the movie. The fact the general diet of the US populaiton is unhealthy is no surprise to me

  16. Jimmy
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 2:55 pm | Permalink

    I don’t care what they feed them, isn’t there some contaminated dog food laying around here?

  17. Ben
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 3:04 pm | Permalink

    TDT – that has already been pointed out. many people believe that they should be punished just for being accused.

  18. Jimmy
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 3:13 pm | Permalink

    There are a lot of inmates serving time in the county jail. Multiple DUI offenders, domestic violence primates, etc. It’s JAIL, not high school. Deal with it.

  19. raptor
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 3:49 pm | Permalink

    Sheriff Joe runs a county jail, not a prison. He does it with the attitude that jail should NOT be a comfortable home, but a punishment to be there. His philosophy is, if you don’t like it, don’t come back.

    He has brought back chain gangs, and doesn’t provide “fluff”. He has been re-elected by record margins since the majority of people agree with him.

    Naturally, there are those bleeding heart types that want to provide entertainment, recreational facilities, etc. Sheriff Joe says if you want that, get a job and stay out of his jail.

    I think a lot of places, here included, could learn some valuable lessons from him. Yes, he feeds inmates bologna sandwiches. Not gourmet fare, but it is food, and he is saving the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

  20. Jed
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 4:34 pm | Permalink

    Farm Gal,” Then they contracted with the local hospital to provide meals at less than the cost of the junk they had been serving.”Why can’t this be done here in Wichita? St. Joe (best hospital food in the state) contracts to deliver food to several other institutions, why not the jail? It may not be quite as cheap as Purina Prison Chow, but it would uphold the county’s responsibility to adequately care for prisoners in it’s charge.

  21. Ben
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 4:50 pm | Permalink

    A thought: allow at least some prisoners to volunteer to take on work assignments outside the jail. Those inmates would get a ‘preferred’ breakfast before leaving for the day. Lunch would be spartan as it would be in the field. Dinner (back inside) would again be ‘preferred’. That way we could get litter picked up etc.; they get some exercise and fresh air.

  22. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 4:51 pm | Permalink

    “Purina Prison Chow”

    hehehehehehheehheh! You’re on a roll today Jed!

  23. fleettwood
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 4:53 pm | Permalink

    Anyone else notice who is crying the loudest about our poor inmates? The commie libs love the criminal. And the terrorist.

  24. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 4:54 pm | Permalink

    I dont suppose jails have garden space or room for such. But maybe schools or community gardens could provide better food at lower cost. Maybe the outside assignments could be to raise food for the jail.

    WTF am I saying?????

    I’m cutting out a potential market:)

  25. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 4:55 pm | Permalink

    Gee fleetie, and here I thought I was trying to save the taxpayers money by pointing out how to LOWER COSTS, not coddle the accused.

  26. Ben
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 4:59 pm | Permalink

    fleettwood – if you were ACCUSED of something you didn’t do should you be punished for it before your trial?

    You fascist cons obviously advocate pre-emptive punishment; if the accused is foung innocent then just too bad. That’ll teach him for acting suspicious!

  27. Bob
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 5:17 pm | Permalink

    One thing Sheriff Joe has going for him with his program is that the inmates actually grow nearly all of their vegetables. That could be done here for some inmates and the activity would be good for all involved.

    Raptor is right about the conditions in his (Joe’s) jail, but those folks are not mistreated as they are in some facilities. They work – they have no amenities, but they are treated well.

    Personally, being locked up with just a TV and lunch served would drive me crazy. If you added in Fleeetttwoood in the next cell, I might just hang myself.

  28. raptor
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 5:22 pm | Permalink

    Sheriff Joe has many innovative programs. For example, he recognizes that substance abuse is a main reason for incareration. With his “Alpha” program, he has reduced recividism from over 60% in general population to around 14% with his Alpha program.

    Wish we could elect him here!

  29. Dennis
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 5:26 pm | Permalink

    Sheriff Joe should be in prison for the abuse he has heaped on citizens of Arizona. Just more macho BS.

  30. Dennis
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 5:27 pm | Permalink

    Yeah, fleetwood, that’s how I feel.

  31. Bob
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 5:31 pm | Permalink

    What about the innocent waiting trial that can’t make bail, Raptor? People are wrongfully charged every day. What about the folks that spend more time in jail waiting for trial then what the sentence would be in the first place? If they are going to take the approach that jail should be punishment, they better make sure that just the guilty are punished.

  32. Bob
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 5:32 pm | Permalink

    Sorry, Mr. Raptor, that comment was for Dennis, not you. My apologies.

  33. Scott
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 5:53 pm | Permalink

    Why are the Sheriff Joe lovers not pointing out the other facts of his jails.

    Only convicted inmates live in tents and work on the chain gangs. People awaiting trial, many of which are innocent, are given better treatment.

    Due to the mistreatment and abuse of the guards in his jails, several people have died and the families have successfully sued for millions of dollars, eclipsing the paltry savings that his macho antics provide.

    Due to the horrible conditions in his jails, several countries have refused to extradite criminals to stand trial if they face imprisonment in his gulags. Many of these criminals have been set free.

    In the last election, he was almost defeated by a relative newcomer to politics. The voters of Maricopa County are growing tired of his crap.

    For the truth about Sheriff Joe, I suggest people check out many great articles that have been published by the Phoenix New Times newspaper.

  34. raptor
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 6:29 pm | Permalink

    Oh yeah…the New Times..such an even handed “newspaper”. The paper that refers to people of one political party as “Republinuts”. The paper that quotes John Kerry as an impartial source.

    Sheriff Joe has been elected 4 times and has brought about some innovative programs.

    I never said he was perfect, but I like his style.

  35. JWink
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 6:33 pm | Permalink

    Recently I asked Sedgwick County Sheriff, Gary Steed, if the residents of his jail were convicted or not. Sheriff Steed told me that virtually none are convicted yet, just being held for court dates. I think this was fudged a bit because there is a percentage who are waiting to be transported to a prison or other court locations.

    In any case, I remember when I moved to Kansas City area in the early 1960’s, the Jackson County Sheriff (can’t remember his name) took great pride in the quality of his jail food. He often invited business people to join him at his table in the top floors of the Jackson County Courthouse in downtown Kansas City to sample the Sheriff’s cuisine. As I recall, the prisoners did the cooking. Of course, as a guest, it was nice to depart after those lunches!

    However, as several bloggers suggested above, seems like the sheriff should take bids for his jail food from the Wichita school system (whose food is great) and other Wichita institutions such as hospitals. I’m told one company seems to have the jail food contract cornered and this needs to be re-examined.

  36. Jed
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 6:51 pm | Permalink

    Flat,”The commie libs love the criminal. And the terrorist”You mean like my 76yr-old neighbor who was jailed for 36hrs. without her blood pressure meds on an overdue library book charge back when the county was angling for a jail expansion? Turned out to be a paperwork mix-up at the library and charges were quietly dropped, but she was in bad shape afterwards and died about two months later. Not everybody in there is a murderer or terrorist, as much as you might like to think so, and if it was your mother or kid (or you, for that matter) wouldn’t you expect decent treatment?

  37. writerdog
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 7:02 pm | Permalink

    Jimmy just to help you understand the point that others is trying to make about jail is for the holding of those that are just accused and not convicted. It is very easy, almost frightenly easy to find yourself arrested and put in jail. Most think it requires that you have actually committed a crime. I can give you an example that is based on an actual case: Joe, the guy that live next to you and has been talking to you for some time. Comes over and asked if you would mind giving him a ride to the store. You set in the car while Joe goes in and does some shopping. Joe comes out and gets in the car and you leave, only to make it a couple of blocks when the car is surrounded by all the “cops in the world”. Guns drawn and shouting for you to shut off the car. Joe it turns out has just robbed the store!

    You now spend the next several months in jail accused of being a part of a robbery team.No one is believing you when you say that you did not even know what Joe was doing. Your Lawyer is telling you that you should plead guilty in order to get a reduced sentence.He does not seem to even believe you that you are truly innocent. It is not until Joe actually takes the stand and tells them in open court that you did not know he was planning to rob the store and all you did was innocently gave him a ride.

    I worked for over five years at the Sedgwick County detention facility. I have ate the food and at times it is not more better then if they clean out the sewer trap and make stew out of the crap in the trap. Other times and depending on whether a certain person had gotten another DUI and was on work release. The food was very good and in fact until I worked there I had no idea just how good Ham, beans and corn bread was!

  38. Kev
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 7:16 pm | Permalink

    Let me state first of all that, as a former “guest” in the Sedgewick County Jail when it was in the back of the old courthouse, I found the food to be from just OK to pretty good. And back then the food was prepared by ARA Services that ran the courthouse cafetreria. My biggest complaint was that we did not get enough of the food. After being in the jail for 58 days, I got kind of tired of it and was glad to get back to good eatin. Let me say too that inmates should not complain too much about food. They are in jail to be punished for the crimes they have committed. If you want fine food and a menu to order from, stay the hell out of jail. The time I did in there was about 34 years ago and I made damn sure I never went back. You would figure most people would learn the first time.

  39. Ed Friedemann
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 7:21 pm | Permalink

    If the terrorists are terrorizing the terrorist’s terrorists being a terrorist’s terrorist terrorism’s terrorists will terrorize both terrorists and terrorist’s terrorists.

    The whole thing sounds terribly terrorizing and terrorist ridden, which is terrible to terrorists.

  40. Kev
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 7:22 pm | Permalink

    “I’m sure GS will be here shortly to tell us what a cushy deal prisoners have what with three hot and a cot and all….

    Oh, and did I mention shelter from the weather and indoor plumbing?

    Livin’ the life o’riley I guess.”

    The new jails are much better I hear. When I was in the old jail, there was no air conditioning. It was stiflin damn hot in there and only a few fans in the catwalk moved any air around at all. And we did not get 3 hots. We got 1 hot at dinner and a sorta hot breakfast- the hot part being a scrambled egg and French Toast with a small box of cereal and a small carton of milk- all slid under the cell door in a steel 3 compartment tray.

  41. Bob
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 7:25 pm | Permalink

    What about the innocent folks waiting trial, Kev? Should they just accept their “punishment” and deal with it?

  42. Kev
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 7:32 pm | Permalink

    “A thought: allow at least some prisoners to volunteer to take on work assignments outside the jail. Those inmates would get a ‘preferred’ breakfast before leaving for the day. Lunch would be spartan as it would be in the field. Dinner (back inside) would again be ‘preferred’. That way we could get litter picked up etc.; they get some exercise and fresh air.”

    They would not let people work outside the jail because there is a big chance of escape. They did allow work in the jail which I did as a Trustee. You did jobs like serve the food and sweep and mop the catwalks. The only thing you got for it was that you got a cell with other trustees (4 people in each cell) who were not quite as mean and demented as regular inmates and you also got to hold your own cigarettes and matches while regular inmates were not allowed to hold cigarettes or matches (trustees would hand out 4 cigarettes a day to each inmate from his/her own pack and light the cigarette for the inmate to smoke). BTW about 99% of the people in jail smoke.

  43. Kev
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 7:36 pm | Permalink

    “What about the innocent folks waiting trial, Kev? Should they just accept their “punishment” and deal with it? ”

    From experience, there are very few “innocent” people in jail waiting for trial. Even in the few cases that an inmate might be “innocent” of the charges he is on there for now, chances are he has been trouble before and will be again for crimes. These are not nice folks for the most part.

  44. Bob
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 7:43 pm | Permalink

    So that “innocent until proven guilty” thing is just liberal bullshit, right?

  45. Kev
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 7:46 pm | Permalink

    “Joe, the guy that live next to you and has been talking to you for some time. Comes over and asked if you would mind giving him a ride to the store. You set in the car while Joe goes in and does some shopping.”

    You are judged by the company you keep. Chances are that Joe is creepy, unemployed and not well kempt. Not somebody Ward Cleaver is going to keep company with.

    “You now spend the next several months in jail accused of being a part of a robbery team.No one is believing you when you say that you did not even know what Joe was doing. Your Lawyer is telling you that you should plead guilty in order to get a reduced sentence.”

    Again what is your charactor? Do you have a job that you get up everyday and go to? Do you have responsible people that will vouch for you? Did you attempt to flee or outrun the cops when they arrested you? I seriously doubt you will spend even 24 hours in jail. Especially if Joe says you were not in on it.

  46. Kev
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 7:55 pm | Permalink

    “So that “innocent until proven guilty” thing is just liberal bullshit, right?”

    No, you will get your day in court. But a judge has to decide whether to hold you for trial based upon several things not the least of which is “probable cause” or what is the evidence you are guilty of the charges against you and another being how probable is it that you will fail to show for court to answer the charges, commmit new crimes or tamper with witnesses should the judge allow you to be released. Once arrested, you will be given a hearing on the next court day or even the same day sometimes where the judge will hear evidence and render a decision. If there is not much evidence you are guilty of the charges or the charges are not serious (traffic), he may let you go on a signature bond and many people are released this way. If you have roots in the community (job, family, home) and no prior record, the judge may let you go on a signature or a small bond. That is why there are very few truly “innocent” people in jail. People like to think that is the case but it just is not almost all of the time.

  47. Bob
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 7:59 pm | Permalink

    Even I know that a probable cause hearing is a matter of “probability” hence the name, and not proof of guilt. So, if you “steal” two hot dogs, you should do 71 days in jail, even though the penalty for that crime is probation, even though you are found not guilty. That all makes me feel a lot safer now.

    That’s for clearing that up for me, Kev. I feel much better now.

  48. Kev
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 8:13 pm | Permalink

    “Even I know that a probable cause hearing is a matter of “probability” hence the name, and not proof of guilt. So, if you “steal” two hot dogs, you should do 71 days in jail, even though the penalty for that crime is probation, even though you are found not guilty. That all makes me feel a lot safer now.

    That’s for clearing that up for me, Kev. I feel much better now.”

    I am not saying the system id perfect but I seriously doubt that anybody was in jail for 71 days for stealing hot dogs. Such an offense would not put one in jail for 71 HOURS. So I would like to know more about the case you are speaking of- what was the defendants PRIOR record? What were the circumstances under which the crime took place (for example, did the defendant attempt to assault store employees or the police when apprehended?) because it is hard for me to beleive that even the meanest and most assinine judge would do such a thing. My guess is that the person in question was probably a habitual criminal with a long rap sheet and this was just the crime where the judge finally said “ENOUGH ALREADY” and tossed him in jail.

  49. Bob
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 8:18 pm | Permalink

    Guess you missed the news, Kev. Seventy six year old man spent 71 days in jail waiting trial on hot dog theft charges, acquitted by jury. Judges don’t just get to throw people in jail cuz they are fed up. I thought we were a law abiding nation and all that. Innocent until proven guilty, even if the judge has “had enough.” Perhaps some of you folks would like the Islamic view of justice – let’s whack off a few hands – that’ll show them.

  50. Mary Caruso
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 8:24 pm | Permalink

    You’re right, Kev. There is more to the story…seems the guy didn’t take responsibility for his bad actions, now and in the past, including a drunk driving incident where he hit and killed a 10 yr old child “The brakes failed”…yeah right.When he was charged with taking the hot dogs he “forgot to pay for”, apparently he had been caught stealing from the same store on prior occasions and had been banned from the store. He also didn’t show up for any of his court dates. Consequences can be a bitch, but I’ll bet he won’t “forget to pay” for his hotdogs again.

  51. Mary Caruso
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 8:25 pm | Permalink

    No one is above the law, Bob. Not you, not me, not even a 76 yr old man.

  52. Bob
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 8:38 pm | Permalink

    He was found “NOT GUILTY.”

    I gues that doesn’t mean a lot to you people anymore.

  53. Bob
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 8:41 pm | Permalink

    Recently, there was a man released from prison after TWENTY FIVE YEARS when DNA evidence PROVED him innocent.

    I suppose you people feel that he should have just taken those 25 years and not complained. Right. After all, he probably was guilty of something.

  54. Bob
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 8:42 pm | Permalink

    So everyone that is arrested is guilty right?

  55. Mary Caruso
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 8:46 pm | Permalink

    Did I say that? He was at least guilty of ignoring the order to appear in court…that’s called contempt of court and it’s against the law. He wouldn’t have had to go to jail if he would have complied.

  56. Bob
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 8:48 pm | Permalink

    The crime, if he had been convicted, would have gotten him probation, yet my former son-of-a-bitch-in-law has never paid child support and has never served a day in jail. Now, who is a greater threat to society.

  57. Mary Caruso
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 8:53 pm | Permalink

    You’re right, it seems like the real criminals have more rights than their victims…the system is flawed to say the least, especially when money can buy a person’s way out of anything, and those who don’t have money get locked up for just being stupid. There is no such thing as equal justice in our country, we just like to pretend there is.

  58. Kev
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 9:13 pm | Permalink

    “I suppose you people feel that he should have just taken those 25 years and not complained. Right. After all, he probably was guilty of something.”

    He probably was guilty of something but for the 25 years he should be compensated a good amount. We cannot give him back the years but we can and should make the rest of his life worthwhile. We had a guy here that just got $1.2 million for the same thing. I would have given him even more- $100,000 for each year but that is a good start.

  59. Kev
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 9:16 pm | Permalink

    “yet my former son-of-a-bitch-in-law has never paid child support and has never served a day in jail. Now, who is a greater threat to society.”

    I take it that you did not approve of your daughter’s choice in a mate. But it was her choice. He is not a threat to anybody but not paying child support but I would jail him none the less for failing to obey a court order. And he would stay in jail until it was all paid up. Also, if he owns a home, vehicle or other things, they should be seized and sold to pay it off.

  60. Kev
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 9:18 pm | Permalink

    So everyone that is arrested is guilty right?

    Nope but about 95% of them are.

  61. Bob
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 9:23 pm | Permalink

    (He probably was guilty of something)

    What is the point of discussing anything with you? He was proven to be completely innocent. Apparently, that means nothing to the right wing, unless it refers to one of their own like Delay, Limbaugh or Libby.

  62. Kev
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 9:23 pm | Permalink

    You know what is funny is this- everybody in jail and prison will tell you that they are “innocent” of their crimes- well most of them anyway BUT when you are in jail with them, they will gladly brag to you about all their crimes and even talk about future crimes they wish to commit after they get out! For example when I told one of my cellmates about playing bass guitar, he said “when I get out we need to hook up because I know where we can swipe some damn good guitars and amps”. Of course I didn’t but I am sure he probably told everybody outside that he was just a little innocent angel!

  63. Bob
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 9:27 pm | Permalink

    Kev, I can only hope and pray that someday you are falsely accused of a heinous crime, jailed for 1/2 your life and lose everything.

    Then maybe you could see how “He probably was guilty of something” is a horrible thing to say.

    Of course, from what you have posted, I would guess that you would feel that you deserved the punishment even though you were innocent.

    After all, you must have been guilty of something.

  64. political_mom
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 9:38 pm | Permalink

    I don’t care about organic food, just that it’s not laced with crap from china that could kill me.

    I ate school lunch and it wasn’t bad at all. Water on salad is a good thing, it means it’s been rinsed! I absolutely hate places that do not rinse their lettuce and it tastes like preservatives. I also don’t mind my mashed potatoes unpeeled. But food should be edible. That AZ Joe sherrif is someone who feels he’s dictator or something. I’m sure those who like Sherrif Joe would also approve of shock collars for the inmates. Besides, hasn’t it been shown that his recidivism rate isn’t any different than others? Harsh isn’t always a deterrent. Getting them to want to do things on their own is.

    Food SHOULD be edible for anyone.

  65. Jimmy
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 10:33 pm | Permalink

    yet my former son-of-a-bitch-in-law has never paid child support and has never served a day in jail

    bitchy and bitter is no way to go through life. Good luck.

  66. Bob
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 10:37 pm | Permalink

    Jimmy – Huh? My daughter’s new husband provides just fine for he and my grandchildren, but men should not get away with not paying their rightful obligations.

    Do I sense that you are a bit behind on your child support payments, Jimmy?

  67. Jed
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 11:24 pm | Permalink

    Kev,You sound like the father in a movie a few years ago who beat his son every night on the grounds that he must’ve done something that day to deserve it.

  68. Jimmy
    Posted April 25, 2007 at 11:56 pm | Permalink

    Bob – I don’t think you sense much of anything, other than your own hatred of your ex. It must really suck to be you.

  69. Bob
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 12:37 am | Permalink

    No, Jimmy I hate your ex – after a few nights with her, I started to think that masturbation was a better option. Sorry, but she was a really bad lay.

  70. Kev
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 5:39 am | Permalink

    “Of course, from what you have posted, I would guess that you would feel that you deserved the punishment even though you were innocent.”

    I didn’t say I was innocent did I? The charges were possession of marijuana, receiving stolen property and carrying a concealed weapon and I was guilty as hell. I never said I was innocent. I just got a break in the fact that because I was 17 and a non violent offender, the judge left the case in juvenile court. Otherwise I would have a felony record today. And it was not my first trouble with the law- when I was 14 I was in trouble for drinking and gyping school and I was sent to Lake Afton Boys Ranch. As I look back upon it now, I was a stupid son of a bitch.

  71. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 9:48 am | Permalink

    Wow, a little late to the party here on WEBLOG court, day 2….

    Just by coincidence, Supersize Me was on MSNBC last night, so I got to watch it again.

    The school that provided fresh, organic foods was in Appleton, WI. And pmom, I dont care so much about organic either, but I do think fresh, whole foods are important. It’s just that this school DID provide organic fresh foods for about the same price as the USDA canned school lunches.

    Sorry, I think yesterday I said it was LESS than the USDA lunches. Last night they said it was about the same cost.

    But in the movie, I saw that they were SELLING the meals for $2.00 each, so I am assuming that is lower than the $2.50 cost lj mentioned.

    Anyway… the school was an “alternative” school for kids who had been in trouble or had behavior problems or learning disabilities.

    By switching their school lunches to fresh, whole, organic foods, the behavior problems went down, test scores went up, etc.

    Now some of that could be explained by the Hawthorne Effect, but supposedly, studies of the data show improvement beyond that expected in a Hawthorne situation.

    The name of the company that participated in the experiment is Natural Ovens and Bakery in Manitoc(sp) WI.

    I havent done any research on this today, but if you have a REAL interest in lowering jail costs, or school lunch costs, or you think a healthy diet precludes long and short term medical costs, you can research it yourself.

    It’s just a myth that canned government commodities, precooked with lotsa salt, fat and additives is CHEAPER than fresh, whole foods.

    Yet another urban/rural legend brought to you by big ag. The same folks touting ethanol…

  72. freedomfreak
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 12:39 pm | Permalink

    People are wrongfully charged all the time. Kansas is famous for it, we are the ones who sent that dude to Alkatraz for stealing food for his little sister to eat from a general store which also happened to be a post office, so it was a “major crime.” It was his treatment that actually resulted in Alkatraz (sp?) being shut down.

    The “good” criminals stay out of jail/prison. Prosecutors DO NOT CARE about guilt, or innocence! They care if they could somehow “sell” it to a jury. THAT’S IT, BOTTOM LINE, END OF STORY!

    How a society treats it’s prisoners is one of the key vital signs used to determine that societys decency. No, I do not condone resorts. But 3 decent hots and a cot, even if that cot IS in a tent, in the middle of the dessert. Staff should treat prisoners with dignity IF the prisoners are behaved and doing what they are supposed to be doing.

  73. Mary Caruso
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 1:26 pm | Permalink

    I got to tour a jail in Palau while I was there, what an amazing comparison. It makes you grateful to be an American…at least our prisoners have a clean, humane environment with medical care, legal services, opportunities for education, and treatment if they want it. The things people whine about in this country are laughable when you see the reality of much of the rest of the world.In China, my son watched the police shoot a local in the head because he stole a tourist’s camera. In Provenciales, I was there when the police shot and killed a drunk man for waving a machete around. At least in this country, we have due process and rights.

  74. Jed
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 1:35 pm | Permalink

    So far! If some of the crowd here had their way, we’d be seeing summary execution for traffic offenses.

  75. Mary Caruso
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 4:48 pm | Permalink

    I’ve had four speeding tickets so far this year, do you think I should be scared? :(

  76. littlejohn
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 4:51 pm | Permalink

    Still got your liscence?

  77. Mary Caruso
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 5:00 pm | Permalink

    So Far…does anyone want a temporary job as a chauffeur?

  78. fleettwood
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 5:27 pm | Permalink

    The prisoners deserve the correct calories per day. They are investigating that, and I will bet they are getting the proper amount. Everything else is just bleeding heart crap. This is a story that is not a story.Wellshimer (not MILF-Y) said she didn’t hardly eat the food. That would make her testimony about the quality of the food a non-starter. The food is free. The prisoners should shut up.

  79. Bob
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 5:32 pm | Permalink

    So, if you couldn’t make bail and were awaiting trial – where you are found innocent – you would be okay with being fed slop?

  80. fleettwood
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 5:47 pm | Permalink

    Free slop. Yes.

  81. Posted April 26, 2007 at 6:38 pm | Permalink

    Bob’s marital problem look remarkably similar to WSClark’s marital problems that he mentioned on the Wichita Voice. Still using that stolen email eh Clark?

  82. Mary Caruso
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 6:42 pm | Permalink

    I thought he sounded familar!

  83. ken
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 6:45 pm | Permalink

    Sure Mary -

    ….. and I work cheap — your car or mine ?

  84. Bob
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 6:52 pm | Permalink

    (Bob’s marital problem look remarkably similar to WSClark’s)

    Say what? Since I have never mentioned my marital status on this blog, I cannot imagine what the hell you are talking about, so please enlighten me. Are you saying that you can tell my marital status by my posts?

    BTW – The 12:37 AM post was a troll, any reasonable person could see that.

  85. Mary Caruso
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 7:10 pm | Permalink

    Ken..My car gets pretty good gas mileage..but you can’t be embarassed by all my anti-Bush bumper stickers!

  86. political_mom
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 7:15 pm | Permalink

    Mary, stop speeding. If you crash and kill someone I’ll be one of those chanting for you to be prosecuted.

  87. Kev
    Posted April 26, 2007 at 7:35 pm | Permalink

    “I’ve had four speeding tickets so far this year, do you think I should be scared? :(”

    How in the hell did you manage that? Are you just unlucky or do you like to drive fast all the time? I drive like hell and I have like maybe 8 tickets in my whole life!

  88. Mary Caruso
    Posted April 27, 2007 at 9:17 pm | Permalink

    Would you believe I got caught in the same speed trap twice in one week?!?Part of the problem is that I drive A LOT for my job (sometimes 300-400 miles per week), I’m all over the city and often on a tight schedule. If I get behind due to a patient complication or a train or two, I get in a hurry and I sometimes forget to watch my speed. It’s no excuse, but I tend to have a lead foot anyway.I have no idea how this will play out, I’m 54 and have never been in trouble except for the time I broke curfew when I was 15.Life is going to give me a very hard lesson, let’s hope I learn it!

  89. Jed
    Posted April 28, 2007 at 2:58 am | Permalink

    Mary,The more miles you drive, the more chances you take. Be careful! I knew two home-health nurses who managed to get creamed on city streets. Luckily, neither was seriously injured, but both were putting more than 100,000 miles a year on their cars, and their number just came up. Again, be careful!

  90. Mary Caruso
    Posted April 28, 2007 at 8:41 am | Permalink

    Thanks, Jed..but I do drive like a New York cab driver. I’m making a vow to slow down…I can’t afford not to!

  91. Mary Caruso
    Posted April 28, 2007 at 8:43 am | Permalink

    PS when I’m doin’ my time…will someone please bring me some decent food? :)

  92. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 28, 2007 at 8:47 am | Permalink

    hee hee hee hee

    Mary, I think you need to hose down your car with cop urine.

    You know, like hunters use deer urine to throw the deer off their scent?

    Seems like they are tracking you. Maybe they just want to see your bumperstickers up close?

  93. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 28, 2007 at 8:49 am | Permalink

    Heheheeh Mary. You got it. Just make sure the garden is in season when you hear those doors slam behind you.

    I’d promise to send fried chicken and tater salad, but I am afraid the guards would have to do quality control before it got to you.

    BIG quality control helpings!

  94. Mary Caruso
    Posted April 29, 2007 at 9:16 am | Permalink

    Hey, your tater salad is worth going to jail for!

  95. GSheridan
    Posted April 29, 2007 at 9:48 am | Permalink

    “I’m sure GS will be here shortly to tell us what a cushy deal prisoners have what with three hot and a cot and all….”————

    Wrong as usual, I find the bad food disgusting.

    I don’t advocate pampering inmates, but food is a necessity.

    Also, we’re talking about jail, not prison. Many of the folks here may not have even been charged with anything yet, or they might not have money to make bail….it could be any number of reasons. After the railroading of the boys from the LaCrosse soccer team, it’s evident that people are falsely accused.

    Feeding any person what I saw on that plate is almost a crime in itself.

    What bothers me more – is that the County is hiring a company out of State to provide the food.

    I don’t know how many folks the jail houses, but if it were 100, I guarantee I could feed them a LOT better on the same money – or less.

    There is no excuse for this.

  96. Mary Caruso
    Posted April 30, 2007 at 5:44 pm | Permalink

    That’s true, good nutrition can be inexpensive and still taste good. When we were poor and raising our kids, we ate cheap but well. I allowed $20 a day for food, and that was 3 meals a day for 5 people, less than $1.40 per person/per meal.

  97. Ben
    Posted April 30, 2007 at 5:45 pm | Permalink

    GS – good comments. Ditto also to Mary.