Los Angeles, CA: In an eight minute Video News Blog the Full Disclosure Network® presents a dynamic exchange of views about whether jail time should be considered punishment, featuring video clips from recent interviews with Los Angeles Sheriff's Sgt. Paul Jernigan, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Merrick Bobb the renowned police reformer, formerly with the Christopher Commission. The video is moderated by host Leslie Dutton and is available for viewing FREE on the Internet on demand, 24/7 as a public service of the Full Disclosure Network®. The video news blogs and full interviews are also featured on 43 cable systems and available on DVD.
Here are a few points made during this debate:
- Sheriffs SGT. PAUL JERNIGAN: "Jail is not supposed to be pleasant, it is supposed to rehabilitate the people that are going to change their lives once they decide, jail is not for me."
- SHERIFF JOE ARPAIO, (Maricopa County, AZ): Describes the 140 degree heat in the Korean War tents where he houses his inmates on the Arizona desert. He says,"It gets hot out but I don't care. Our men and women who are fighting in Irag (have the same conditions). He says the inmates complain about the meals that cost 30 cents a day, they tell him they hate the food, but he says he doesn't care. "I hope they never come back..NEVER COME BACK".
- MERRICK BOBB, (Renowned Police Reformer): Says, "with due respect to the Sheriff, it is not the jailers role to punish an individual.....they cannot be mean, thoughtless, they must provide basic human needs" He says the role of the jailer is "to provide food, shelter, mental care, access to lawyers and whatever the law subscribes".
Following the video news debate viewers are asked to participate in an online survey by casting their vote on questions pertaining to the issue. They are also asked to leave their comments and to join in the online blog discussion of the issue.
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"the news behind the news" the
Full Disclosure Network® is an independent, educational, public affairs cable program featured on 43 cable systems and the worldwide Internet website
www.fulldisclosure.net Produced by
Leslie Dutton and T. J. Johnston, the program was presented with a public affairs Emmy Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the public affairs series entitled
"L.A.'s War Against Terrorism".
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Comments to date: 38. This is page 1 of 4.
Kevin California
Posted: 03:56 pm [PST] on January 27 2010
Sheriff Joe has it right. He's tough, but not unreasonable....
Douglas Hill Nevada
Posted: 07:04 am [PST] on September 02 2009
I spent 14 months in prison for 3 DUI's, and all an all it wasn't too bad. Having TV's and DVD players was nice, but they should'nt be allowed.
Larry Phipps Chico, Ca.
Posted: 03:06 pm [PST] on August 31 2009
The Sheriff in Arizona fancies himself as an enforcer. His role is to follow the constitution and keep in mind that the inmates are there AS punishment, NOT to be punished by him or anyone else.
He's a demigod masqurading as a public servant. Shame...
S. David Brown Chapel Hill, NC
Posted: 02:18 pm [PST] on August 31 2009
Jails should be self-supporting public institutions. Completely transparent, open and the inmates should have to work in order to cover the costs of their incarceration.
Fred Sottile Rancho Dominguez
Posted: 09:53 am [PST] on August 31 2009
Punative diet for men who are not convicted? This jailer is a sadist. I guarantee that if women were given this kind of treatment, there would be a cry across America for human desency towards them. BUT, with a gender prejudiced Presidential website that is backed up by a gender prejudiced Vice President (see VAWA. America's most illegal law, nice job Joe Biden), this is the concentration camp of the War Against Men. Many men in prison are not criminals of any kind. They are simply men (some are fathers, some are falsely accused of paternity)who lost thier job and cannot pay court ordered tribute to radical feminism. The crimes committed by corrupted Judges, Greedy or man hating female lawyers and greedy or confused male lawyers should land them in the very jails that they seem to take so much pleasure in putting innocent men. Joe Arpaio is just one more "party goer" at the "monster's ball." To those people who support this kind of thing, I have to say to you, Just wait until you are falsely accused and end up there. You will sing a different tune. The idea that if you are there, you probably belong there is wrong. For a strong example, please research "The Innocense Project." The truth is, judges are frequently wrong or corrupt. Also understand this, forced labor for profit will not result in that profit going to the tax payer. It will be stolen. In fact the only reason it would ever be initiated is if there was a way in which the profit could be retained by the initiator, otherwise, why would he/she bother?
Deetje Boler San Francisco
Posted: 10:01 am [PST] on August 31 2009
You should distinguish between jail and prison. People in jail, as I understand it, are awaiting sentencing. People in prison have been found guilty and are serving their sentence. People in jail should not be treated as "guilty" or as needing to be convinced, as Arapaio says, not to come back. Anyway, cruel punishment is not constitutional.
Laine Lawless Mesa, AZ
Posted: 08:11 am [PST] on August 31 2009
Studies on Maricopa County Jail recidivism rates are hard to find. I suspect that Joe's rates aren't any better than any other county, and the lawsuits as a result of inmate deaths are higher than other comparable counties. I would like to see ANY study of the recidivism rates. I think his punishment is "cruel and unusual." That's what the ACLU should be going after him for--not for detaining illegal immigrants. And thank goodness the cats and dogs (someone) WIN!
Michael Stout 2455 Poplar Kansas City, MO. 64127
Posted: 07:16 am [PST] on August 31 2009
Why should we give them the comforts of home, when there are people on the streets starving and going hungry without comitting a crime !! Look at all the homeless Veterans, children and family's due to forclosure and the economy !! A neighbor lady said to me that sents it was starting to get cold, her nephue was going to comit a crime so he could go home, back to prison and live comfortable on our dime and eat and get all the medical help he needed unlike us !!! What about the people who stay on Death Roll for ever, if they are proven beyond a reasonable doubt with DNA than put them to Death immediately without hesataion,and without remorse !! There should be no reson to keep them a live any longer. Besides these Bible prechers need to reread there bible, because it says to put these souless men and women to death and no blood will be on your hands for killing these souless people !!
Tess Maine
Posted: 11:55 am [PST] on April 07 2009
I do agree that prisoners requiring punishment due to the transgression of state or federal law should only "enjoy" the "basic necessities of life." I am in accord with Joe Arpaio in this, but am appalled at the disparity shown in state and federal prisons across the country. In Arpaio's jail, inmates endure 140 degree heat, in other jails, raquetball and steak. When jail is afforded with these amnenities, it subverts it's purpose of reform. However, I think that jailers and sheriffs do not have the right to judge what treatment prisoners do and do not get, unless their personal safety is concerned. I think that because our prisoners transgress federal or state laws, that the state or the federal government must provide rules standardizing their treatment policies.
Stan Onsted,MSgt USAF (Ret) Clinton Md
Posted: 10:02 pm [PST] on January 09 2009
Larry Nichols from Conway Ak talks about the sherriff all the time. I personally am old time patriot,and think punishment must be served.
Many thanks
Stan Onsted