Do You Feel BAD for these Inmates????

After all, they have rights too...

from JoeUser Forums

The inmates in Dakota County, MN. have it soooooooo bad,  my GOD!  Seven days a week,  365 days a year,  they get to have two bologna sandwiches,  along with fruit, like an orange and cookies and chips.   

That's what they get,  5 days a week,  and on weekends they get two meals a day.  Brunch and supper.  They threw a fit claiming it was against their "rights" to have sooo many hours between meals,  as breakfast was at 7,  lunch at noon and brown bag supper at 4:00 p.m.

They complained that they weren't getting enough calories,  probably not enough nutrition,  and meals so far apart on weekends left them hungry.

There was,  for the record,  11 letters of complaint,  received by the Dept. of Corrections since January 2004,  seven about the food. 

Their meals are monitered by a dietician each year,  the Dept. of Corrections said,  and the Dept. of Corrections changed the time between meals on weekends,  and also told the inmates that they're welcome to have cereal in the morning if they want it.  They claimed they weren't aware of that.

They ( the inmates) also have access to vending machines,  and weekly canteens operated by TW Vending,  which offers junk food,  convenience foods by store items on a form,  ramen noodles,  and coffee.

Dear Lord,   maybe if they ( the inmates)  had been out working for a living,  even if it's flipping burgers,  instead of holding people up at gunpoint,  maybe if they had asked for help instead of stealing from someone's garage....they might have the money for better food.

Why should I feel bad if they're eating bologna for supper?  When I was working for a living,  I worked between 9 and 12 hour days to support my son and myself.  If we ate bologna it was because we had a choice, that we'd earned!

 I say LET them eat bologna!  IF they're lucky it might be Oscar Meyer!!

BTW,  the article,  by Frederic Melo,  is in the St. Paul Pioneer Press,  and is far more detailed...at

 http://www.twincities.com/ci_6788922?source=most_emailed

10,784 views 59 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

Sounds like what they are really whining about is that they might have to pay for their snacks instead of have them provided just like the meals.

 

They need to call, 1-800-Wah Wah Wah. ;~D

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

They need to call, 1-800-Wah Wah Wah. ;~D

Exactly!  thank you

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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hope to heck neither of you ever have to sit in a COUNTY JAIL awaiting trial!

If I couldn't afford to post bond on my $2500 bail for my grass growing too tall, guess where I'd have sat while awaiting trial? YUP...COUNTY JAIL!!! There are a good number of people in jail who are innocent, as LW pointed out.

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

Reply By: Gideon MacLeishPosted: Thursday, September 06, 2007
Hope to heck neither of you ever have to sit in a COUNTY JAIL awaiting trial!

Thank you,  however... 

There are a good number of people in jail who are innocent, as LW pointed out.

I haven't read her article,  have to agree that innocent people do sit in jail,  I sat in one for a few hours ( until the Captain of the security company i worked for bailed me out on same day) because my boyfriend got a ticket on my car.  I didn't do anything wrong,  however it was MY car so I was held accountable for the ticket.  Now some people in the cities ( St. Paul) are trying to get a law passed about this kind of thing,  but it's a long story.

Anyway........they gave me black coffee and canned beans for lunch,  with bread.  NO kidding.  If I was doing rotten things like stealing,  robbing at gunpoint, ect.  I'd not deserve a lunch like I can have at home...

I think as long as they're fed,  as long as it's deemed suitable by a registered dietician,  there's nothing wrong with two sandwiches,  fruit,  cookies,  and chips and of course whatever beverage they serve.  Quite frankly,  some of the crimes these people have perpetrated on innocent people,  including children,  are so vile that I don't know why they aren't murdered in the jail, they're fortunate that they live in the good ole USA where we support their asses and more...

It IS a sad fact that some are innocent,  not the drunks arrested on the scene,  not the guy that stabbed his wife and kids (  just last month? I think it was) however the ones that are accused of something and they pick up the wrong guy. 

I believe in our system,  and most of the ones arrested and jailed for 8 or 9 days are indeed guilty,  the so called "lesser crimes".

I still say,  "let em eat bologna" although I doubt it will stop their drinking and driving,  beating their wives,  and whatever else is happening out there that they sit for those appointed days.

 

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Quite frankly, some of the crimes these people have perpetrated on innocent people, including children, are so vile that I don't know why they aren't murdered in the jail, they're fortunate that they live in the good ole USA where we support their asses and more...


Yeah, let's pass shivs and let them murder each other in their cell. To HELL with the Constitution.

While we're at it, let's execute everyone who receives public assistance. Can't support THEIR sorry asses, either!
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Wow.

Just wow.

You're really rotten, Trudy.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

The 365 days a year is a nice attention grabber.  But the truth is most jails only hold inmates for a short period, before they are transferred to a prison or released.  Yea, bologna would be rotten all the time every day, but it is not meant to be a lap of luxury.

I dont know about St.Paul's, but I do know that many jails allow inmates to purchase additional food from a commisary.   So they could supplement their diet with other food stuff as well.

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
I dont know about St.Paul's, but I do know that many jails allow inmates to purchase additional food from a commisary. So they could supplement their diet with other food stuff as well.


IF they have money on the books. Which isn't as easy as it sounds. Lemme 'splain why, Dr.

Some years ago, a friend's son was in jail. I went to visit, and left some money on the books. The money was used to pay his "booking fee" and he never saw a penny.

It's convenient not tohave any sympathy for the down and out, but we must remember that most people in county lockups aren't the "hardcore" criminals of Oz, they're the lightweights, and, quite frequently, the truly innocent.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Lemme 'splain why, Dr.


I am aware of the situation. I know how it works. I also know it is not perfect. But Booking fees are not something that is practiced everywhere. Quite frankly, I dont know where they are practiced or not. I just know they are not in all jurisdictions.

It's convenient not tohave any sympathy for the down and out,


It is not a lack of sympathy. I neither stated I had some or lack thereof. It is a matter of priorities. Many are suffering far worse fates than a lack of variety, and most of those through no fault of their own. Before changing bologna to cream chipped beef, I would work to make sure that those with nothing to eat are addressed first.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Dr.

Who's starving in America? You know as well as I that there is plenty for the poor to eat in this country.

AS for the other countries, if they would stop feeding their warlords and their armies first, I would be willing to send aid. As long as aid money goes to feed the very people who are the cause of the poverty, we shouldn't dole out a dime.

And, back to America, we must remember that the majority in jails are, according to legal standing, innocent. We hold them for good reason. But we should also FEED them adequately.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
And, back to America, we must remember that the majority in jails are, according to legal standing, innocent. We hold them for good reason. But we should also FEED them adequately.


Whether they are starving children in Africa (as my mother always told me) or children in Latin America (as Sally Struthers tells us), there are still people out there through no fault of their own literally starving (and I agree with you 100% about the US not starving).

But this is not about feeding them adequately. The article clearly states they are being fed adequately. Just not with a delicious variety. That is the difference and that is why I cannot get upset about it. There are bigger problems in the world than someone who only has bologna to eat for one meal a day (which sounds like my lunches when I was in school - PB&J - and the reason I dont eat them to this day).
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
The article clearly states they are being fed adequately. Just not with a delicious variety.


Bologna for every meal with chips and cookies is NOT adequate food, Dr. Guy.

As for Latin America and Africa, it is the corruption of their governments that is causing the people to starve, NOT our selfishness, and you know that. Honestly, Dr., I'm a little disappointed that you would even invoke them in this debate, as you well know the forces at play in this regard. An inmate being fed a decent meal in a county jail is NOT keeping poor people starving.

And, btw, as for commissary, the things you buy are usually more junk food. Just for the record.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top

While we're at it, let's execute everyone who receives public assistance. Can't support THEIR sorry asses, either!

I was thinking about this statement.....  Not as severe, but if it is OK to feed inmates junk like that (using Trudy's quote: "Why should I feel bad if they're eating bologna for supper?  When I was working for a living,  I worked between 9 and 12 hour days to support my son and myself.  If we ate bologna it was because we had a choice, that we'd earned!") why don't we just give staples to people on assistance?  We used to.  They can go to the welfare store and get dried beans, jars of no-name peanut butter, bologna, bread.  But, I guess that's different, right?

The problem is that you have to decide if one human life is better than another, and what the criteria is for "special treatment" for those living on tax dollars.  People in jail should have the same food supply as those on welfare- both are funded by taxes, neither are helping society.  So, why should one get better care than the other?

Of course, if it were up to me, neither would have fancy food.  Both would be getting just the staples needed to live- proper nutrition, but staples nonetheless.

Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Bologna for every meal with chips and cookies is NOT adequate food, Dr. Guy.


Not every meal, just every dinner meal.

As for Latin America and Africa, it is the corruption of their governments that is causing the people to starve, NOT our selfishness, and you know that. Honestly, Dr., I'm a little disappointed that you would even invoke them in this debate, as you well know the forces at play in this regard.


I did not bring them in from the standpoint of selfishness or their governments. Only from the perspective that they exist through no fault of their own. I said that I feel they are more worthy of MY caring than some prisoners who dont like bologna.

As for the commissary, I never said that was a good diet to have. Only that it is available. Since they are getting fed a well balanced - if bland - diet, the issue then is not nutrition, but taste. And the commissary supplies that to those who desire it.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top

I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one, Trudy.  Bologna for every meal is NOT adequate nutrition, period.  Yes, they're in jail because they broke the law (or are charged with breaking the law and may be innocent), but they're PEOPLE.  Human beings.  Fallible human beings.  I'm not saying that they should have steak and lobster every night, but feeding them bologna at every meal and making them go for 14 -18 hours without food is just wrong. 

I'd like for the people who think that this is acceptable behaviour to give it a try.  Do a 'Supersize Me' trial and eat nothing but bologna sandwiches and potato chips for a month.  Space your meals out so they're 14 hours apart on the weekends.  Maybe then they'll have a change of heart about the nutritional requirements of inmates.

Inmates are people too! (that was tongue in cheek, btw)

Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
I guess I would have to say that they don't deserve decent meals but adequate meals. Bologna may be an adequate meal but every day? Even I'm not that cruel. I mean if we gonna keep them alive as oppose to capital murder we should give them variety at least. Criminal or not we are not monsters, we should drop to their level just because they were dumb enough to commit a crime. the innocent ones? Well, our system isn't perfect and there will always be mistakes. O I disagree and agree at the same time I guess. Is that possible?
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
Prisoners should be kept healthy in case they're innocent. After proven guilty, then treat them badly, if you're going to.
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
After proven guilty, then treat them badly, if you're going to.


Yeah, that's a great way to act like the leader of the world.
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top

Wow.

Just wow.

You're really rotten, Trudy.

Why San,  am I getting more like you? 

Let's see,  I haven't committed any crimes,  have worked for a living,  YEP I'm rotten...  hehe 

Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top

To HELL with the Constitution.

I don't think any Constitutional rights are being violated since the county changed the number of hours between "feedings" for them.  People in hospitals go from 5 at night til 8 in the morning before breakfast.  So I truly fail to see the problem there. 


While we're at it, let's execute everyone who receives public assistance. Can't support THEIR sorry asses, either!

If "anyone" on public assistance was executed that would be murdering children, babies,  seniors,  and disabled people,  they're not the ones eating up the taxpayer's dollars to a very expensive tune.  However, comparing how much public assistance people cost tax payers, to criminals in jail is another whole blog Gid.

Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top

I dont know about St.Paul's, but I do know that many jails allow inmates to purchase additional food from a commisary. So they could supplement their diet with other food stuff as well.

Yep,  and if they work in jail they can earn enought  ( even though the wages are ridiculously low) to get snax.  If one works in the kitchen,  as a trustee,  they can get extra treats ( free) as well as regular food.

( I've worked in two county jails as a cook,  once as a temp when the Sheriff's daughter had her baby and in 96 after having graduated from tech school for Institutional Cooking,  so I know that they can earn more.


Reply By: Dr GuyPosted: Thursday, September 06, 2007
The 365 days a year is a nice attention grabber

Exactly,  that's well said.  It was clarified at the end of the newspaper article too.

Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top

It's convenient not tohave any sympathy for the down and out, but we must remember that most people in county lockups aren't the "hardcore" criminals of Oz, they're the lightweights, and, quite frequently, the truly innocent.

I didn't know you're a bleeding heart Gid,  and these guys ( and women too)  aren't "down and out",  they're the drunk drivers that kill your friends and family,  the men ( and women)  that beat a spouse and cause great bodily harm.  These so called "down and out" people have molested children,  stolen purses from peace loving citizens,  and many of them are hooked on Meth.  Really,  down and out?  I think not.

Lightweights?  A resounding NO WAY Gid.  And to quote you "quite frequently,  the truly innocent".  REally?  do you have statistics?  I don't,  however would sure make a bet most are guilty,  at least innocent til proven which probably is more often than not.

Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top

we must remember that the majority in jails are, according to legal standing, innocent. We hold them for good reason. But we should also FEED them adequately.

They are fed sufficient caloric intake,  and according to a registerd dietician,  nutricious.  If one takes issue with the state of MN.,  Dakota county,  Dept. of Corrections for how they feed their inmates,  there's always the freedom to write to them. 

Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top

both are funded by taxes, neither are helping society. So, why should one get better care than the other?

Those on public assistance are living poor,  yet honest,  lives.  THEY'RE not sitting jail for stealing,  robbery, assult,  rape, battery, drunk driving,  they're just poor.  Many of the public assistance peple are good people, and chances are they do help,  I know people on assistance that are volunteers,  which is a valuable resource,   many are working poor people just trying to get ahead.  I begrudge them NADA.  I DO resent the inmates whining about a couple of bologna sandwiches for supper,  when the money they've stolen was used for Meth.

why don't we just give staples to people on assistance? We used to. They can go to the welfare store and get dried beans, jars of no-name peanut butter, bologna, bread. But, I guess that's different, right?

No it isn't wrong Karma,  those on public assistance DO get staples,  from the government,  they're called commodities and they're handed out monthly,  and are eligible also for "Ruby's Pantry" which gives away free food once every month,  this also supplements the food stamps.  The food IS beans, rice, peanutbutter, dry milk, dry cereal,  juice, ect.

Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top

Reply By: dharmagrlPosted: Thursday, September 06, 2007
I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one, Trudy.

That's ok with me,  that's your right and you're welcome to disagree here.

I'd like for the people who think that this is acceptable behaviour to give it a try. Do a 'Supersize Me' trial and eat nothing but bologna sandwiches and potato chips for a month. Space your meals out so they're 14 hours apart on the weekends. Maybe then they'll have a change of heart about the nutritional requirements of inmates

I've "been there and done that".  My first husband and I ate pinto beans and oatmeal for every meal,  for two weeks,  until we got our first paychecks,  after moving to St. Paul.  We didn't go out and rob someone,  steal a gal's purse,  we went out and got JOBS. 

   I said above,  those that are jailed can earn extra food and treats by working in the kitchen,  the number of hours was changed by the Dept. of Corrections,  it's mentioned in the newspaper article,  and in most public places like hospitals and nursing homes,  the normal supper hour is 5 with nothing til 8 a.m.  However the seniors in nursing homes,  and also the ill in hospitals, get a nourishment at 8 p.m. as they don't usually eat enough or feel too sick to consume the correct nutrients.