Texas Inmates Complain of Sweltering Prison Conditions
In letters from his prison cell at the McConnell Unit in Beeville, Susan Fenner’s son describes miserably hot and dangerous conditions. The temperature is more than 100 degrees outside, and the heat radiates through his tiny un-air conditioned box of a cell in administrative segregation.
“There’s not much circulation, and it’s just horrible,” said Fenner, who is executive director of the Texas Inmate Family Association.
Like many of the 150,000 prisoners across Texas, Fenner’s son lives without air conditioning. As the heat index statewide soars above 100 degrees day after day, inmate advocates say complaints ...
Comments (79)
Brenda Duncan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
At 107 degrees, we have to do what is humane. Even animal shelters have air conditioning.
Brenda Duncan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It's pay now for AC or pay later for the outbreak of health problems in prisons.
Dylan Osborne via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I have no idea why we are so cruel in this country. Our criminal justice system is a travesty- short-sided and mean-spirited. And we wonder why the same people keep going back.
Phyllis Johnson
My son is also at McConnell with Susan's son. They are not in the same building but they're all suffering the same problem. My son does work in the warehouse where there is some air flow so it's his weekends, evenings and nights that are the worst.
Brenda is right, the Humane Society is set up better than our state prisons. In the southern U.S. air conditioning is hardly considered a luxury.
Jennifer Singletary via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Maybe if they hadn't committed the crime to begin with......
Henery Jones via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Its prison, we send folks there to be punished, let em sweat and spare me the bleedin heart bullshit.
Adam Miller via Texas Tribune on Facebook
really it about what the tax payer wants? thats a first in texas, or is it about doing what is right. think you could goto jail for doing the same thing to dogs the tdcj is doing to PEOPLE...
Phyllis Johnson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If the minimum standards were being observed I might agree in part but they are not. At 90 deg. air temp. heat precautions are to be put into effect. They are not therefore I think the inmates and their families have a right to complain.
Marci Claypool Perry via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If we are going to do what is humane, how bout we take care of all those who are not in jail, and who do not have air conditioners, and then we take care of the prisoners.
Jeff Dean Case via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Air conditioning is not a right. Plenty of folks (including me) grew up without AC. We air condition pet shelters because the animals have no choice when they're placed there. Criminals made the wrong choice and must live with the consequences. Want cool air? Don't do the crime...
Jennifer Singletary via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Except my dog knows how to follow instructions. And I would much rather my tax dollars go toward education then making a criminal comfortable. The article states that they are allowed fans. I know elderly people on fixed incomes who worked their entire life and never broke the law who don't even have that luxury.
Phyllis Johnson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
"...presumed taxpayers are not going to want..." Why don't TPTB ask rather than presume?
For those who think the inmates should sweat it out, how about volunteering to help this section of society so they don't go back once they are paroled?
Patrick Fortner via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I didn't have AC in school until 8th grade -- and neither did my teachers. Were we in 'inhumane conditions?'
Didn't have a real AC in my house until 4th grade. Before that, it was 'swamp coolers' and a whole-house exhaust fan.
Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.
Adam Miller via Texas Tribune on Facebook
so the system should act the the person that did wrong? and when that person gets out, and they always get out, what then? if being miss treated is part of that prisoners punishment then it should be ordered by the court that sends them to prison...
Dave Mundy via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Awww, da poor babies. Maybe next time they'll obey the law. Suffer.
Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This country is going backwards instead of forward.
Phyllis Johnson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
A/C wasn't common in any building when a lot of us were kids. Times change.
Jose R Fernandez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Spent 6 months in Saudi in 108 and then a year in Iraq in 118 temps with NO a/c. They can handle it till October.
Phyllis Johnson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Military Jose? If so, thank you for your service.
Jennifer Singletary via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Thank you for your service Jose!
Angie Dunn
I also grew up w/o a/c, but then again in those days people of color had to sit at the back of the bus BY LAW. Times change and it just seems like TX is regressing. For older or ill prisoners, this summer's heat could well be tantamount to a death sentence, and unless that was the courts order, then I think that would be an 8th Amendment violation. I think someone should be incarcerated for their crime but I don't wish suffering on any human being. If you do, then you might want to take a long, hard look in the mirror.
Lisa Ahrlett via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Inhumane would be sending them to live outside with no food, sanitation, and protection from each other. They get education, books, sometimes internet, and all sorts of luxuries that those who take rights away from others shouldn't automatically get. If you take someone's life, property, peace of mind and feeling of security why should you get the amenities that our soldiers, elderly and poor do not get? And hello... you would think no AC would make people not want to return to jail. How is that rational to think that they return to jail becasue of things like not having AC? Ahhh, thank God I have the ability to think logically.
Antonio Garza via Texas Tribune on Facebook
WE NEED TO FIND OUT HOW TO KEEP THEM OUT OF THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. WHAT IS GOING ON CURRENTLY WITH EDUCATION IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM? I THINK THAT A LEARNED X-OFFENDER CAN ACTUALLY TURN HIS LIFE AROUND AND NOT RETURN TO THAT TEXAS REVOLVING DOOR. WE CAN FEED THEM OR WE CAN SHOW THEM HOW TO FEED THEMSELVES AND HELP OTHERS, WE CAN INSTILL PRIDE IN MANY OF THEM. THEY IN TURN WILL EVENTUALLY BE AN ASSET TO SOCIETY.
Jose R Fernandez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Served 23 yrs never had a/c in the field. Suck it up convicts.
Beth Powel
Three inmates have died due to heat related causes at the Hodge unit in the past 2 weeks. Ok they committed a crime so lets kill them???? Is that OK with people, they were someone's son, husband, brother, father.
Time is supposed to be the punishment not TORTURE!!! For all those people who think it won't happen to them anyone in their family would every commit a crime. Wake up, it's happens and innocent people go to prison everyday!!! If you've NEVER made a mistake in your life then judge people who are in prison, if you have wake up, stuff happens. Sure some people belong in prison but some people do make mistakes and change their lives! Not everyone is a mass murderer or child molester.
Sure it's hot for staff but, they don't live in it for 24-7, plus they can go to the vending machine and get water or the kitchen to get ice anytime. They don't live in a 6X6 cell with NO ventilation and have a small desk size fan blowing HOT air on them. It's a 100 plus degrees in those cells THAT IS TORTURE!! It's bad enough you can't make parole in Texas after 5, 8, or 15 times in front of the baord with an exception record, now we're boiling the inmates.
Beth Powell via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Thank you for serving this contry. Did you have access to water in the field? Did you get to go home when your time was served? Were you locked in a 6X6 room with no ventilation in temp over 100 degrees? Have you ever made a mistake?
Beth Powell via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Three inmates have died due to heat related causes at the Hodge unit in the past 2 weeks. Ok they committed a crime so lets kill them???? Is that OK with people, they were someone's son, husband, brother, father.
Time is supposed to be the punishment not TORTURE!!! For all those people who think it won't happen to them anyone in their family would every commit a crime. Wake up, it's happens and innocent people go to prison everyday!!! If you've NEVER made a mistake in your life then judge people who are in prison, if you have wake up, stuff happens. Sure some people belong in prison but some people do make mistakes and change their lives! Not everyone is a mass murderer or child molester.
Sure it's hot for staff but, they don't live in it for 24-7, plus they can go to the vending machine and get water or the kitchen to get ice anytime. They don't live in a 6X6 cell with NO ventilation and have a small desk size fan blowing HOT air on them. It's a 100 plus degrees in those cells THAT IS TORTURE!! It's bad enough you can't make parole in Texas after 5, 8, or 15 times in front of the baord with an exception record, now we're boiling the inmates.
Phyllis Johnson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Unless you've been there, you don't have a clue.
Guadalupe martinez
Im a tax payer, a mom, a sister, a friend....God forbid someone close to me ends up in prison I would want them to be comfortable in that aspect...punishment yes, torture no. Everybody is so quick to point the finger to someone who is encarceated but you dont know the circumstances that went down for these people to end up in prison, I guess not everyone is "as perfect" as all those pointing their finger. Be careful because life can change in a blink of an eye. God bless.
Robert Blain via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The last paragraph sums it up - “I don’t think anybody would say prison should be the most comfortable place in world,” Flammer said. “But, at same time, it’s important that the prisons don’t have inhumane conditions.” (remember, they don't get windows like most houses/schools had to allow ventilation through)
Imagine a wrongful death suit filed on behalf of someone who dies from heat exhaustion. Oh yeah, and the guards have to deal with much of the same conditions.
Angie Dunn
@ Beth Powell
Could you disclose your sources regarding the three heat-related deaths at the Hodge Unit. I live in rural Nacogdoches county about 20 miles from that unit. Most of the correctional and support staff who work at that unit reside there in Rusk , Jacksonville, or the surrounding rural areas. As these are both smaller communities, people talk and word of something like that happening out there would have gotten around town by now.
Also, I think you need to look up the definition of "torture." Denying someone food, water, or medical care...then yes that may qualify. Simply being uncomfortable because of the heat is not torture. Your comments come across as extremely biased so I'm assuming either you or someone close to you has had contact with the correctional system either now or in the past. That is not the fault of Texas citizens. You need to be angry at yourself, your family member or friend who put themselves in that position.
The 82nd Legislature cut the programs for education, drug and alcohol treatment, and re-entry initiatives. Frankly, I would have rather seen the taxpayer's money go to those programs than for the utilitiy bills that would accompany installing a/c in all the state prisons. Those programs were aimed at correcting the criminal behavior committed by the offenders that landed them in the pen in the first place. There is nothing "rehabilitative" about having a/c.
Beth Powel
Angie Dunn
Yes, I do have someone in prison and worked for the system for several years. I didn't say anything about tax payer’s putting A/C in prison. I would just like TDCJ to follow their policies and provide the extra showers, water, and letting offenders wear short during these extreme weather conditions. So yes, they are being tortured because they are being denied water and medical treatment. As for education in the prison system it is limited and if you’re lucky enough to get into a class you should thank your lucky stars. Rehabilitation is not in this system vocabulary. I’m upset with a system that doesn’t work. I’m not made at the taxpayer, I’m one and believe me I pay more than my fair share of taxes. So, if you had a loved one in prison you’d just let them suffer? Please don’t say it would never happen to you or yours because it does.
My source is firsthand knowledge of knowing people at the prison and hearing it, not only from inmates but staff. Some of these things NEVER make it to the media because frankly most people don't care about inmates. While working for TDCJ an inmate by the name of Waterson died due to the denial of medical treatment. He lay in his cells for 3 hours having seizure after seizure. He was brought to medical where he sat in a room for 2 more hours because the nurse thought he was faking. After being catheterized in the hall, to prove he was faking, he didn’t moving. The nurse said "I think something is wrong with this inmate'. The doctor was called after he suffered for 5 hours and it was too late, his pupils were blown and dilated. He was sent to the Hospital where he died 2 days later. He was 23 doing a couple years for a minor crime; did you see that in the news? It never even went to court. When you've seen some of the stuff I've seen working in prison on both side (staff and inmate) you do become a little upset. It's not the tax payer fault but it is our fault for being blind to what's going on in our so called justice system.
Phyllis Johnson
MARLIN (August 1, 2011) - With a week long heat advisory in affect for most of Central Texas, Heat Related Illnesses are on the rise.
At W.P Hobby Unit in Marlin there have been around seven calls related to Heat Strokes and Heat Related Illnesses in the past two weeks.
Inmates who fall victim to the hot conditions are taken to the hospital, given cool fluids and IVs to get their core temperature down.
Once the Inmates get their temperatures back to normal, they are transported back out to W.P Hobby.
~Brad Sullivan @ KWTX
Phyllis Johnson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
MARLIN (August 1, 2011) - With a week long heat advisory in affect for most of Central Texas, Heat Related Illnesses are on the rise.
At W.P Hobby Unit in Marlin there have been around seven calls related to Heat Strokes and Heat Related Illnesses in the past two weeks.
Inmates who fall victim to the hot conditions are taken to the hospital, given cool fluids and IVs to get their core temperature down.
Once the Inmates get their temperatures back to normal, they are transported back out to W.P Hobby.
~Brad Sullivan @ KWTX
Phyllis Johnson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
(copied from the Tribune article comments section from a former employee)
"While working for TDCJ an inmate by the name of Waterson died due to the denial of medical treatment. He lay in his cells for 3 hours having seizure after seizure. He was brought to medical where he sat in a room for 2 more hours because the nurse thought he was faking. After being catheterized in the hall, to prove he was faking, he didn’t moving. The nurse said "I think something is wrong with this inmate'. The doctor was called after he suffered for 5 hours and it was too late, his pupils were blown and dilated. He was sent to the Hospital where he died 2 days later. He was 23 doing a couple years for a minor crime; did you see that in the news? It never even went to court. When you've seen some of the stuff I've seen working in prison...you do become a little upset. It's not the tax payer fault but it is our fault for being blind to what's going on in our so called justice system."
Chance Nunn via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Re; Jose R Fernandez Spent 6 months in Saudi in 108 and then a year in Iraq in 118 temps with NO a/c. They can handle it till October." Amen and thank you for your service sir.
phillip baker
Always when stories about prisons come out, out comes the ghoul squad right after- those people above with no conscience, no compassion, no human decency who belittle the suffering of all these humans. The ghoul squad never cares above appeals to morality or decency. But try this: Go put a dog into a cage for a long time. Feed it crap food, poke it with a stick often. Injure it and give it no care. Do your worst. Deliberately make it vicious, laugh and enjoy your sick pleasures. But remember this- that dog WILL get out eventually. Will it be an animal able to live in our society, or will it be a dangerous, raging beast just waiting for a chance for revenge? And living in a place near you. So ghoul squad, even if you cannot bring yourselves to act in basic human ways, maybe your own self-interests will get your attention. ALL of us pay when we treat these people like we do. We degrade ourselves as human beings. We dishonor our religions. We shame ourselves. Of course, shame is not known to the ghoul squad, I realize.
Tabitha Ziegler via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Cry...babies.
James Earley via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I work in the heat next to the cry babies and have to not only wear a uniform but also a thrust vest while them cry babies wear shorts and t-shirts in the heat they have more right than the officers already and as for the a/c they have chillers for the buildings on my unit and they have fans more than we get stop crying an if you don't want to live like they do don't do the crime
Teresa Wright
Whatever happened to taking action. The comments on this article are "shoulds", the families, Texas Inmate Family Association, the civil rights group and the attorneys/organizations involved can make real change by buying or getting donated the fans for their family members in prison, not just complain about it or file law suits. Or use dollars for tv's, workout equipment, or any "luxury" items law-abiding taxpayers have already given the state to pay for them. Not everything has to be paid for by additional financial burdens on law-abiding taxpayers.
Stop complaining and do something that directly helps, but don't expect me or my family to pay for it. I got laid off, my family does not have felons in it, we paid for our kids college and we are trying everything we can to cut back to make ends meet, just like the more than 150,000 Texans being hurt by the economy. Surely you, your attorneys, these nonprofit organizations in the state of Texas could get together, cut back on your own expenses and buy the fans. Makes sense to me.
Ellen Mass
why is it we worry about law breakers when we have homeless people who've done nothing wrong but lose their jobs????? so make sure all cells have a fan. until what, about 50 years ago there wasn't anything like AC. prisoners lived then. why not now? I really like Sheriff Arapaio in AZ with Tent cities, just regular tennis shoes. and bologna sandwiches. law breakers should think about what their victims have to live with instead of whining about how hard it is in prison. just my opinion.
Beth Powell via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Brad, really is that why 3 imates are dead from heat realted illness at the Hodge unit and 5 at the woman unit in Gatesville? If you get the inmate to the hospital in time they might be OK, but if they locked in a 6X6 cell in over 100 degree temp with another peron they might not make it through the night.
joy bragg
Did you all forget that we have soldiers in the desert..with temps avg. of 100 or more daily? Do they have air conditioners lying out there in the sand..trying to protect our country...I don't see any posts about sending them some ice and a fan.
What about our senior citizens who worked all their lives and are now retired but their checks are so small..that they go without air conditioning....I have seen elders just sitting on benches in public places...not waiting for buses..or a ride...places with air conditioners...they are trying to get cool. How many seniors have you seen sitting in the library...and other places..during the day...but at night when these places are closed ..they go home and sleep in the heat...and you guys are whining about "tough law breakers? Murders, thieves,rapists, drug dealers...you want to public to buy them air conditioners?! Where would these criminals be if they were not in jail...? Would you like to release them? How about invite them into your homes and let them enjoy your air...but then they might get tired of you and just steal your air conditioners..maybe your air conditioned car...or just murder you...and just live in your home for a while....on and let's talk about the good people who have been lais off..and can't even pay their electric bill....u should b ashame how selfish...take care of the soldiers ,elders,laid offf and the the poor...criminals come last...not saying to neglect them....just come after everybody else...makes a lot of sense...those of you who post trying to get air for the criminals are nonthinkers and very selfish...
Phyllis Johnson
AGAIN, no one is advocating putting a/c in the units. All anyone is asking is that the minimum precautions be observed and actually put in motion when the situation warrants. Any "luxury" an inmate possesses has been paid for by their family/friend or some other caring person or organization not your tax dollars. An inmate with no one on the outside who cares gets the very basic minimal clothing, toiletries (lye soap and tooth powder) and food. If they're lucky, another inmate who has help from the outside will loan the indigent ones real soap, toothpaste, a t-shirt, a snack, etc. All anyone who is in a prison whether working or incarcerated are the basic creature comforts.
Implementing these precautions would also make life more comfortable for the employees, mostly guards, who work in these brick ovens too. When the inmates and guards are comfortable they aren't at each others throats and can sometimes enjoy being around each other. They will smile and offer polite but short conversation. I've seen and heard guards and inmates alike offer a "Happy Birthday" or "Congratulations" or "Sorry for your loss" to each other. Kind words, actions and deeds mean so much more than things do. General population inmates are no worse than that kid down the street or the "eccentric" relative everyone has in their family. They really are decent people who made some bad choices. Difference between them and someone you know is they got caught and/or confessed. Don't tell me none of you doesn't know someone who could or should be in prison unless you live in a convent and even there... you never know.
Tabitha Ziegler via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Maybe If they were a threat to society they wouldn't b in there in a first place. They sure don't mind the heat when their outside for three to 4 hours play basketball and whatever else...and that optional.
Tabitha Ziegler via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Weren't*
Teresa Wright
I am glad to learn inmates do pay for their personal items, just as I do, just as the prison guards/employees do, and just as former inmates who have paid their time do. My suggestion was that inmates' family, friends, the Inmate Family Association and its attorneys, find a way to pay for or get donated what they need to endure the heat.
Taxpayers cannot pay for air conditioning. We already pay for all the prisons to be built and the penal system to run, including the salaries of all of the employees, the prisoner's food, the electric bills, the water bills, upkeep, etc. We also pay for the space for the libraries, commissary, the TV's, the workout equipment, etc. The prison guards/employees, former prisoners, and, each victim of the prisoners' crime, are taxpayers who are already paying for our penal system with their hard-earned money through their taxes.
It is a challenging time for so many families right now. There is no more money to go around, regardless if you are an inmate or not.
Angie Dunn
@ joy bragg Apparantly you didn't get the memo on the $20.2 billion the Pentagon is spending annually to a/c the tents and facilities in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Angie Dunn
Also, I think your comments regarding taking care of the poor, elderly, and homeless first are pretty asinine as well. Why should I have to pay to help any of those people. Most people who are poor or homeless are in that state because of their own shortcoming. I'm not paying for a/c for some woman who is poor because she couldn't keep her legs closed and now has 8 or 9 kids. Thus, she is poor. And elderly folks, I can't help it if they didn't plan for their golden years better. That's on them, not me. None of that should come from the public purse.
Angie Dunn
BTW: here is the link for the military a/c units, please not the units in the accompanying photo. Guess that torpedos your first argument.
http://www.npr.org/2011/06/25/137414737/among-the-costs-of-war-20b-in-air-conditioning
Phyllis Johnson
NO ONE IS ASKING FOR A/C IN TEXAS PRISONS!
Angie, you are one bitter individual. I wish you the best in the futrue as well as your family and friends. May none of them need a hand up. It would be a bitter pill for you to swallow if you haven't planned well for your golden years especially if you live to be 90+.
I like how you assume all inmates spent their free time before their crimes playing basketball. Are all people on basketball courts potential inmates? Maybe you mean only those who play basketball will end up in prison at some point in their lives. That's a wide paint brush you're using.
Teresa, I appreciate your comments although I'm not sure how tax payers are paying for victims of crime.
A lot of inmates work on their unit. There is no pay which I'm sure all the taxpayers are happy about but there are a lot of jobs they do which would otherwise have to be done by state employees or contract employees so the system does "save" tax payers some money where and when they can. Some of the inmates also work outside the unit and very possibly in your community again at no pay providing services that would otherwise have to be paid for through some public fund.
A question for everyone who thinks we should help the poor, old, children and homeless in our society first. What do you do to help this part of our society? Do you volunteer your time or resources or do you put it off on someone else to take care of them then complain about our communities not taking care of our own?
If you have any inclination to better educate yourself about TDCJ, go to the website and read, esp. the handbook for inmates and the one for families.
Phyllis Johnson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
NO ONE IS ASKING FOR A/C IN TEXAS PRISONS!
Angie, you are one bitter individual. I wish you the best in the futrue as well as your family and friends. May none of them need a hand up. It would be a bitter pill for you to swallow if you haven't planned well for your golden years especially if you live to be 90+.
Tabitha, I like how you assume all inmates spent their free time before their crimes playing basketball. Are all people on basketball courts potential inmates? Maybe you mean only those who play basketball will end up in prison at some point in their lives. That's a wide paint brush you're using.
Teresa, I appreciate your comments although I'm not sure how tax payers are paying for victims of crime.
A lot of inmates work on their unit. There is no pay which I'm sure all the taxpayers are happy about but there are a lot of jobs they do which would otherwise have to be done by state employees or contract employees so the system does "save" tax payers some money where and when they can. Some of the inmates also work outside the unit and very possibly in your community again at no pay providing services that would otherwise have to be paid for through some public fund.
A question for everyone who thinks we should help the poor, old, children and homeless in our society first. What do you do to help this part of our society? Do you volunteer your time or resources or do you put it off on someone else to take care of them then complain about our communities not taking care of our own?
If you have any inclination to better educate yourself about TDCJ, go to the website and read, esp. the handbook for inmates and the one for families.
Tabitha Ziegler via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Ok let me rephrase so u quit crying....
Rec yards of made up of basketball courts and varies other areas. 99% percent of the inmates go outside with no complaints weather its 110 or whatever.
So no, Lmao I wasn't saying everyone that plays basketball is a potential inmate.
People work in the same atmosphere they live in everyday with long sleeve shorts, pants, thrusts vest...for what? To protect the public. So if an officer can deal wit it, so can an inmate, who chose his path when he commited the crime. :)
Tabitha Ziegler via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Shirts*
Phyllis Johnson
I truly feel for the guards. Implementing the standards already in place would be beneficial to them too so really they are being treated worse by their employer and the taxpayer than the ones they are admonished to watch. Why isn't anyone asking that the guards be allowed to work in a reasonably comfortable environment?
Excuse me about the basketball commentary. I read it as though this was their main activity prior to prison time since you said, "They sure don't mind the heat when their outside for three to 4 hours play basketball and whatever else...and that optional." Rec time is an hour if they get it and lately it's been very irregular. Right now going outside for that hour is a break, it's usually a little cooler outside because it's open and they can catch a breeze. Have you seen a prison rec yard recently? Have you observed it all day to see what the inmates do? Do you communicate with an inmate or guard about the daily activity? Do you work inside a TDCJ unit?
As an aside, trips to chow have been sporadic too. Inmates are served "johnny sacks" a lot more often than they should be. It consist of a sparse peanut butter sandwich and a boiled egg. Granted it's more than some of our homeless and jobless get but it's also served to the inmates who are working at manuel labor 8 hours a day. That's not much to go on.
Brenda Duncan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Texas license plates are made by inmates as is l the furnishings in courtrooms (desks, judges chair, etc.)
Brenda Duncan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
BTW, I don't recall ever going to school during June, July or August and never had to work or sleep inside a school during 107 degree weather. The so called fan is just one in the hallway on the bottom floor for the guards to catch a breeze. The cells are upstairs with no windows and no vents for any possible air flow. Some areas have the old fashioned cold water type fans (the invention before the electric AC) just in certain areas. What's done to prisoners such as beatings & broken bones, concussions and malnutrition is certainly worse than no ventilation.
Phyllis Johnson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Yes, heatstroke is so much better.
Phyllis Johnson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I truly feel for the guards. Implementing the standards already in place would be beneficial to them too so really they are being treated worse by their employer and the taxpayer than the ones they are admonished to watch. Why isn't anyone asking that the guards be allowed to work in a reasonably comfortable environment?
Excuse me about the basketball commentary. I read it as though this was their main activity prior to prison time since you said, "They sure don't mind the heat when their outside for three to 4 hours play basketball and whatever else...and that optional." Rec time is an hour if they get it and lately it's been very irregular. Right now going outside for that hour is a break, it's usually a little cooler outside because it's open and they can catch a breeze. Have you seen a prison rec yard recently? Have you observed it all day to see what the inmates do? Do you communicate with an inmate or guard about the daily activity? Do you work inside a TDCJ unit?
As an aside, trips to chow have been sporadic too. Inmates are served "johnny sacks" a lot more often than they should be. It consist of a sparse peanut butter sandwich and a boiled egg. Granted it's more than some of our homeless and jobless get but it's also served to the inmates who are working at manuel labor 8 hours a day. That's not much to go on.
Brenda Duncan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
They have lock downs constantly, where there is no way to walk around at all for 5-7 days at a time and the "meal" is a PB or slice of cheese sandwich served every day during lockdown inspections.
Patti Frank-Suhre via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Most of these comments that are negative, are really sad and ignorant.. Seriously, count your blessings, no one when they are a child says "When I grow up I want to be in prison.." If you dont care, if you want them to suffer.. TRUST noone there cares about them, and they are suffering..Its no hotel, and really free education? Your ignorance is sad... LEARN FACTS before you speak... Nothing is free education wise, so quit beating a dead horse..If you hate prisoners, keep it moving, they are locked up, cant read this, ulike the genius above thinks when she said they have internet. They dont have internet, again IGNORANCE.. You take the time to bash people you dont know..Be careful, you may wake up in a prison cell one day saying, "Oh wow, I screwed up, this sucks.." Go take a tour of a prison, educate your self before you speak on things you dont know..And Officers that work there are suffering as well, so are you going to say they deserve it, because they are trying to support there families? Hate is a terrible thing..
Daid Swartz
I think I have a unique perspective on this issue. I was an inmate in TDCJ on my 18th birthday. As a white person, I endured 8 years of living hell, consisting of fear, revulsion, apathy, anger, and finally, hate and revenge. 8 years I served, for a burglary commited in high school, and I deserved it at that time. I was sent down in 1987, released in 1995, and never reoffended, or even consider breaking the law in any major way. I have gone on to leave the prison experience behind me, even though it still works its way into my mind again regularly. The article about hot conditions? Hmmm...I have no sympathy for the prisoners. Many units, which once had large fans, open windows, etc, are not that way because of the stupid inmates, who have nothing better to do than break windows, start fires, flood cells, throw feces, throw food, masturbate onto the floors, masturbate onto guards, throw semen, throw vomit, vomit on purpose, throw blood, sodomize weak inmates, enslave weak inmates, threaten guards and inmates, extort guards and inmates..in my experience most inmates will take responsibility for nothing and cry about everything, and you naive, although good intentioned, social advocates, criminal lawyers, media morons, and liberal reporters..you guys dont help a bit, you listen to these cons horrible stories and buy into it like the other naive, gullible, dead suckers they have conned, robbed, or killed...and stand up for their bullshit complaints. Have you heard of TDCJ guards protestng the heat? How about the troops? Should we let them be exempt from fighting when it is hot? Maybe we should investigate corruption among staff, contraband, cell phones, weapons, gangs, homosexual prison rape, recidivism..maybe they need to be uncomfortable. I am tired of hearing people who believe these whiny thugs and then publish the crap. Ive seen them. 90 percent of the inmates I ever met deserved to remain in prison, just based on their in prison actions, behaviors, and language. I think we should have inmates who are within a year of parole kept in the same cell blocks. An agent, such as myself, could be placed among the population, disquised as an inmate, to listen for intent to commit criminal behavior once released, predatory in prison behavior, or disclosure of unsolved crimes. This would help prevent criminals being released who are still intent on a thug lifestyle. Sorry, I have no sympathy for criminals. That may sound hypocritical, but I am not a criminal. I have proved it. The people in prison, or still on parole, have not proved it. Theyvare still lying cons. My offense was 25 yrs ago, and once released, I embarked on an active business career, became active in the community, and enjoy three beautiful, well disciplined, responsible, intelligent children, which is my greatest accomplishment. No sir, make it hard as possible for these scum..when i first went, we worked from can till cant, and when your hands were a mass of blisters, you could salt them to toughen them up for the second day..there was no "im not working". There was no "its too hot"..there was no "fuck tha police". That would get you beat down, chained up, dehydrated, and possibly dead. It was brutal, but guess what? It friggin worked. We had 25,000 inmates in Texas then..now it is 200,000. Now they come to prison and dont have to worry about a beatdown, they have contraband, rape people, gamble, con stupid liberal advocates, religious dunces, and reporters...they do whatever they want..cell phones, sex with guards..because of you liberals. Because we cant punish people anymore. Some people only understand brutality, and some dont respond to that.our bleeding hearts caused the Uk Riots, the recent US flash mob robberies..the decay of culture. I dont feel sorry for these prisoners, and I wont feel sorry for the libs who promote them, when these same thugs come back and kill them someday..of course I will be nowhere around, I will be in a place where the whole town is conservative, pro gun, anti crime, anti drug, and anti thug..its just safer, better, and easier for my kids and I...
Phyllis Johnson
Mr. Swartz, thank you for your excellent perspective. I'm very happy for you and your family. I think it's wonderful you left prison and never looked back. It's a shame more people don't follow your example. I hope my son will do the same when his time comes. He knows he deserves to be where he is for now. You're right, liberals have caused many of the problems in our society as a whole and have a lot to do with prison pop. increases. I agree, the prisons would be a bit more comfortable if previous and some current inmates hadn't caused problems and broken things. Without those fans and windows other measures have been put in place which would help the guards as well as inmates if they were being implemented. Newer units were designed and built with little to no ventilation. I think this is where most of the concern lies.
Much happiness to you and your family.
phillip baker
Mr. Schwartz, I'm glad you got your life together after prison. Good for you. But I'm sorry, your entire rant sounds just like the anti-alcohol, anti-drinking rants of some recovering alcoholics. You made it out, and now have no sympathy for anyone else in there. Those left behind are all just thugs, murderers, etc. Sadly that is the general mental outlook of conservatives in general- I got mine, tough luck for you. Prison rape- recent reports of a national organization says a third to a half of prison rapes are committed TDCJ staff. Corruption? Widespread among guards, yet few are even disciplined, and only rarely are charged with this violation of law. You actually regret to lack of beatdowns??!! Can you seriously argue that it makes a man more a "responsible citizen" to subject him to beatings at the hands of prison gangs or guards? Bleeding hart that I am, I cannot take that comment seriously. More of the reformed drunk talk, I think.
Sorry, but your whole diatribe does not hold up under scrutiny, but it just a self-serving ode to what you think is your self-made rehabilitation. I know full well that many, many inmates are just thugs who will continue living their lives of chaos and destruction on the outside. Maybe, just maybe it is time we took a whole new look at how we handle criminal justice in this state. "Lock 'em up" has worked so well that we have a huge prison population that drains the state budget, makes people worse on release than when they went in, and is the most expensive approach to the issue of punishment. Maybe it's time to think outside the "lock 'em up" box.
Beth Powel
AMEN- Phillip Baker
!! You don’t read about the guards who bring in cell phones and other contraband just the visitors, you don't read about medical killing off inmates, not much has changed since 1995 except the parole rate, it went from 85% being released in the 90’s to 23% being released today. Daid you were lucky to get out when you did, now you several the majority of your sentence. Doesn’t matter what law you were sentence under. If you’re under ¼ law you just see the Parole Board more often someone under ½ laws. Some inmates just want to come home, sure they committed a crime and actually learned their lesson, but the parole board keeps them locked up due to nature of the crime. It doesn’t matter if you stay out of trouble, have a clean disciplinary record, excellent work record, and low profile you still get denied nature of the crime. OMG that will NEVER change!!!
I worked for TDCJ for years and God know some inmates never need be released, I can't count the number of times I was masturbated on, had stuff thrown on me, or cussed at like a dog, but guess what not every inmate did stuff like that. If you respected the inmate they usually respected you back. Inmates are still being beat down from other inmates and guards, not much has changed since 1995, but they years behind bars.
phillip baker
I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it till this evil, brutal prison system in Texas changes: You put a dog into a small cage. You feed it crap, give it only enough water to get by. Keep that cage in the worst conditions. Let every village idiot who comes by poke and torture that dog. Then after you've made that dog mean, vicious, and full of rage, you let it out into YOUR neighborhood. Is this the ex-con you want to live around? Then how about we change our penal system to something approaching humane, try to turn some of those lives around, and simply avoid the worst abuses. Better still, how about we NOT use incarceration for every damn infraction we set up? Prison is not the only way. Indeed, it is not useful most of the time. Let's get smart about punishment and save money while we're at it. Or do Texans just enjoy the cruelty done in their name? Sometimes I wonder.
Daid Swartz
I keep seeing this same analogy about putting the dog in the cage with crap food and water. Let me stop you there. First off, when you are arrested for a non violent crime, first offense, and you arent put on probation, and they give you, say, 6 years TDCJ..you are NOT going to be classified to an Ad-seg pod on Clements unit, where everyone is throwing feces, jacking off, being fed slop, and being kept locked up all the time in the cell, with no medical care or activities...you have to EARN your way to The Dog Cage. You have to be a threat to other people. You have to be a security threat. Dont look down at the sight of an inmate in full shackles, hooded, moved behind a shield. He has earned this. non violent offenders, who are able to learn the system, and say out of trouble, have plenty of opportunity to not only get educated, but to lower their security threat rating, and move to a better facility. Of course, if you have a low sentence, you could still end up on Coffield with 4000 gang bangers, but chances are, you would be in a place that allowed self improvement. I will say this, in regards o the heat..the worst part about heat is that it gets hot people fight, people get killed, riots pop off..sure some inmates are prone to heat stroke..but there are alot of people, like our elderly, and our troops, that we should help first. Inmates should be last when it comes to tax dollars. As far as the "lock someone in a cage 24/7 and let em out and youll have a monster.".uh, guys that have to be locked up all the time, and given nothing, are that way because they already are monsters. The biggest crime is that they are released at all..i mean, some guy with tattoos on his face, who is scarred up inside and out, who has been in solitary, who just pulled 20 flat, who knows nothing but conning, and violence..he has almost zero chance of not reoffended. I think we should set up a penal colony somewhere, make guys who are a high risk to society live there, in exchange for release from prison. You never know..Australia started out that way. Yea, give them some barren county in west texas..Fence it all off.
Daid Swartz
One more thing, and
I will shut up..
Not filing taxes
Marrying too soon
Not using a condom
Voting for a liberal
These are mistakes....
Sexual assault
Murder
Home invasion
Robbery
These are crimes....
What is the confusion here? I am sick of people saying these criminals "made a mistake". No, you dont go to prison for mistakes...you go to prison for crimes. Serious crimes are more than mistakes. Stop minimizing for these offenders. Of course, when you do find a thug hugger, or inmate advocate, they usually, a. Have a loved one in prison, and pass on their complaints as if fact. B.they were educated in some liberal college. C. They are a former/current criminal who is still angry at the system, rather than taking responsibility their actions. Just remember, convicts lie, that is why they are there. They will tell they were set up by the cops, sentenced to 40, and are being tortured by prison guards. the truth is they killed someone over a few bucks, or some random violence bullsht, and now are locked dwn cause they wanna buck, not work, and start shit with everyone. 99.9% of convicts are guilty, but 99.9% claim innocence, and the most ludicrous, weak claims of innocence will be given an ear by some lib social dreamer. Yea, there are some dna exonerations, but not many..i also say rapists and molesters cannot be rehabilitated, and should be sentenced to life. You might say, well what about the 10 percent of sex offenders who dont reoffend? What about them? Shouldnt we sacrifice this small minority of sex offenders who might not reoffend, on the interest of public safety? Yes, all aggravated sexual crimes should be penal colony for life. No parole, no exceptions. I would also allow inmates the option of voluntarily recieving the lethal injection, ending their hell, and ending the bill for the taxpayer. I think these are good ideas. You want to be humane? Allow those doing long sentences to be put to sleep. Many guys with life,or less, would be happy to get that shot rather than live to be old in a texas pen..well, what s crueler, going to sleep forever, or living decades in this hell?
Beth Powel
Daid, you were locked up so you're a lifetime criminal? People DO make mistake and they DO change. My husband shot a drug dealer who first shot my father-in-law in the back. The DA deemed it self defense. A new DA was elected the following year and my husband was charged with murder, for shooting a drug dealer who tried to kill his father and him. He got 35 years for protecting himself and his father. He's been locked up 18 years and in that time he's NEVER gotten in trouble, he works, goes to school (after I fight with TDCJ for years to get him into classes) and gets denied parole every year for Nature of the crime. So since he protected himself and his father he should be locked up forever??? What would you do if someone shot your father IN THE BACK while you were leaving to get away from crazy drug dealer? Who you called the police on earlier in the day for beat up his wife and your son and the police talked to him and let him go? Not everyone who is in prison deserves to be in prison. God know I've made mistakes in my life time but I'm not the person I was 20 years ago, neither is my husband but he's still be judged on killing a man. It doesn't matter that he was protecting himself and his father all that matters is he killed a man. I guess the drug dealer should have killed my father-in-law and husband since he had friend in the DA's office and the police dept. he would be free today. Is justice fair??? I think not!!!!!!
Did you know that 48% people doing time for violent crime do NOT reoffend? Yet the system give non violent offenders less time (which they should) but they re offend almost 75% more often???????
phillip baker
Where does one even start with comments like D Swartz? First off, being a "liberal" is not a sin nor crime against humanity. That you link all manner of thinking and actions to being a liberal speaks volumes for your own breathtakingly narrow point of view, to the degree it is hard to take the rest of your screed seriously. Now, I have worked in prisons, and I challenge your flat assertions that all inmate lie, cheat, steal, and con. In fact, most inmates are basically OK guys with the exception that- for the majority- they got caught up in the drug culture, lost control of their lives, and wound up in prison. There were many inmates I whose word I trusted and who, in a clinch, I knew would back me up in a tight spot. Because they were basically OK people. Around 70+% of inmates are NOT murderers, rapists, child molesters, but committed property crimes (burglary,etc). They were functioning fathers, husbands, etc on the outside. In short they had loving sides as well as the troubled side.
I am beginning to question your whole initial statement about doing time. It begins to ring false with this histrionic broad characterization of "all" inmates. Nobody I know who did actual time talks like that. So what turned you into a violent and volatile enemy of anybody else who "made a mistake"? There is something deeper going on here, I bet.
As for your medieval thinking on criminal justice, what can be said? Move to some pre-Enlightenment country like Somalia? But such an approach in modern times is so far beyond civilized thinking that it cannot be taken seriously. It is especially notable how easily you would consign thousands of human beings to perpetual imprisonment not for cause or their own actions, but just because it would be simpler for society to do so. Stunning, coming from an American. You conservatives are constantly droning on about how we are a nation of laws, yet how shallow is your real commitment to that concept!
Finally, one more thing- and I preface this by giving my heartfelt support and admiration to our armed forces for the brilliant job they do. But that being said, all this palaver about our troops serving in 118 degree heat in the sands of Iraq, etc is largely hogwash. Folks, only a small portion of those troops are in combat situations. Roughly put, for every combat troop there are about 20 support personnel well away from combat danger. And ever since Bosnia, Halliburton B&R(the old Brown and Root) has built AIR CONDITIONED small cities everywhere our troops go. Every base has a rebuilt small American town with pizza parlors, hamburger joints, bars, movies, etc. Rec halls are put up overnight using air pressurized structures. Atlantic Monthly did an excellent piece several years ago about this. The zealotry of B&R in removing any and all "inconveniences" from the troops lives was astounding. Some of those troops resented the results on the grounds that it kept them from using the very skills they had been trained in. Anybody who thinks every troop is sleeping on the ground in searing heat/cold/rain is not well informed. So enough with all this "our troops suffer, so why shouldn't criminals". Our troops Do a great job, but don't romanticize it. The reality is enough for their honor.
David Whitten
Yes, I know all about TDCJ and the lack of air-conditioning after working inside the prison system for over twenty-two years. Although I did not obviously live in a cell block, I was subjected to the unbearable heat (dealing with crisis situations in the cell block, etc.)
You see, TDCJ-ID is reactive, not proactive (Ruiz lawsuit good example). Almost every summer, the same thing happens. The air-conditioning breaks down. Sometimes, it takes months to fix an air-conditioning system. Air-conditioning compressors frequently break. TDCJ does not keep a stockpile of these parts.
When I worked at the Ramsey II unit in Rosharon, the air-conditioning systems was constantly breaking down. Fog often accumulated in the main hall during the summer months. The heat was sweltering to say the least.
But, the worst units seem to be the ones constructed out of metal. Think of a trailer house for the incarcerated. When the air-conditioning system broke at the Woodman unit, the suppositories often melted. Officers were constantly overwhelmed by heat. In the cell block, it was not uncommon to see temperatures of 110 degrees or above.
When the Woodman Unit was built, the air-conditioning system equipment was obsolete, third lowest bidder situation. A maintenance man enlightened me. He said: a) officials lost the password for the computer-assisted air-conditioning system that controlled vents, etc.; b) when the motherboard broke, the Canadian manufacturer started laughing over the phone when a replacement was being ordered. But, the manufacturer mined their junk pile for another motherboard. They ended up charging TDCJ $1500.00 for that obsolete part.
What I still don't understand is the operative word "air-conditioning." Many people don't complain when units are heated in the winter. Some, would even protest offenders being housed in cell blocks without heat resulting in temperatures below 20 degrees (Amarillo Units).
What TDCJ fails to realize is that many of the security problems stem from overheating. Many offenders feign symptoms of mental illness or retardation to reside on air-conditioned units. The frequency of occurrence of self-cutting spikes during summer months. The cost of shipping offenders around the state is quite expensive.
The Texas heat is very hard on officers and offenders alike. But, in a state where many want to pray instead of solving problems, what can you expect.
phillip baker
Thank you, Mr. Whitten, for both your service in a truly tough job and for your straightforward additions to the comments here.I have noticed that every time an article about criminal justice comes out in the Trib, a whole flock of strangely cruel, vindictive writers weigh in and spew baffling rage about "convicts". I am left to conclude that there is a significant portion of Texas' population that is bereft of simple human decency, let alone compassion. But all that goes well beyond your informative commentary and in no way is meant to rope you also into my beliefs. Guilt by association and all that. lol
Jasmine Montgomery
I think we're all human and we deserve to at least be treated like so no matter if someone is in prison or someone outside of prison. I'm sure there's a fine line between treating a person in an inhumane fashion and one in a humane fashion no matter if they're in prison or not. I never really one to complain because I see prions in other country without AC and hardly any fan but the difference is they have access to ventilation.
Yes, no one wants to spend their tax dollars on prisons, inmates, nor any programs to reduce recidivism but yet they say don't go to prison if you don't want to suffer. Its a never ending cycle between prison and freedom once you're released, especially if you do not have adequate support, knowledge, and the drive to improve yourself. There are success stories, people do change, and opportunities for them come about but they are one in few because you have to have support, knowledge about what's out there, and be able to have an incentive to do better. Once released from prison you're encouraged to be a member of society but yet society doesn't accept you because you're an ex-offender--jobs close up in a very bad economy; housing opportunities are far and in between with background checks; and yo have to eat, pay the parole fees (if on parole), and survive. What is one to do?
I don't complain very much about many things and certainly not about the AC situation with TDCJ. I know with budget cuts and our economy suffering it's not really ideal that we start spending money on things. However, I am sure there's an adequate solution that would provide from some heat relief when temperatures inside a prison unit reaches 140 degrees. The fans are provided through commissary and they're a simple small desk fan, nothing more. It works and provides some relief however it cost money and yes there are programs out there that help, however those programs are slowly closing its doors. I'm sure over time there will be a solution--one that is sort of win-lose nonetheless--but something that will make it not as harsh with summers as they are now.
Yes, many people do survive without AC and there's a time before AC was created. I lived in an environment where I used an AC unit or two to heat a whole apartment and I spent one summer without ac and just a fan. It's doable but circulation, water, ice, and other efforts to relieve the temperatures were available.
The love of my life is in prison and I love the story of how we met. At first it was hard for me to tell people where he was because of the many reactions people have on this board but over time I said who cares. My opinion is the only one that matters. I'm very proud of the changes and efforts I put into to help show him there's a world of opportunity out there for him despite where he is and his past. I don't judge him for his past actions but try to understand him and see where he comes from and what lead him down that path/road to begin with. Its not my position to judge someone without understanding the situation first and/or "the facts of the case." Not everyone in prison or county jail is a harden criminal and has the mindset of a harden criminal. Some are simply there to do their time, come home to their families, and move on. Nonetheless, it takes a whole lot of effort, support, and encouragement on my part to make that happen.
Further, there's a world of difference for someone in prison serving Life Without Parole or long sentences of 30 years, 40 years, 50 years versus someone in prison for 3 years, 5 years, 10 years. The mindset of the person and their prerogative and actions are very much different. So, yes they may be more willing to not follow the rules and act kind of irrational when they're in there for 40-50 years versus someone in there for 3-5 years.
Just a Thought--my thought.
phillip baker
Thanks for that contribution, Ms. Montgomery. Just 2 thoughts:
1) We're in a deep slump of our economy. Would this not have been the perfect time to hire people to retrofit the prisons with, if not AC, then other accomodations to this unholy heat? Texas took a bundle of federal stimulus money. What happened to it? (Hate to remind Perry of that fact, since he seems to have forgotten lol)
2) You have identified the biggest problem with giving someone a life without parole type of sentence. There is nothing you can do, as officers, to control the guy. Short of committing a capital offense, these guys are free to kill, steal, rape, etc with impunity. What are you going to do, convict them again and add 20 years to that sentence? Waste of money, but all those around these guys are in serious danger.
Jasmine Montgomery
Hello Mr. Bake:
Thanks for you for your response and discussion opportunity. I agree with you fully on taking advantage and providing if not AC some other accommodations during this heat wave. I'm not familiar with TX taking any Stimulus money but I'm glad you said something because now I wonder to. It would be nice that they utilize it during Texas slashing budgets across the board and try to put some balance back into the TX economy. I'm sure knowing how they were during this past 82nd Legislation session they (Perry) probably put it into the rainy day fund and refuse to tap into it. Lol.
Your second point I fully agree with you too. When you have that long of a Sentence, parole is the least from your mind especially if you don't even have parole. Then for them to get another Sentence is up to the District Attorney and many of them feel that its pointless to prosecute and slap on a charge when they're serving a large sentence.
I watched an episode of Lockup where one state found a solution that works, sort of an incentive for someone with long term sentences. I believe it was something along the lines as as the better they do with being incarcerated and behavior he better housing they receive and privileges. I look at other states and how they handle prisons and incarcerations and I look at at Texas and shake my head. I'm sure there are solutions out there but it takes effort, research, finances, to find it.
Very good questions and points you raised! Thank you!
Jasmine Montgomery
Oops, sorry Mr. baker. Typo.
phillip baker
There are many things TDCJ could do to make our prisons less brutal, but as you can see from some of the comments on here Texas is not a population with much compassion. They'd rather grind people to dirt and spend tons of money doing it, than make their lives better. And we all pay for it eventually.
Good points about graduated privileges to incentivize long termers to act right.
It's off topic, but yes, Texas got millions- maybe billions- in stimulus money. That was why this whole budget crisis was put off till this year- they had federal money to fill the gaps.
Patsy Ainsworth
I would like to thank everyone for the kind concerns for the young men and women that are in our prison system. For the negative remarks, I would advise the people, you never know what you might have to endure with some loved one in your life. Because of one mistake, a terrible tragedy can happen to the best of people. There are a lot of good, hard working people, in the prison system that don't belong there. If only the Senators (such as Dan Patrick) would work as hard to rehab them rather then send them to prison, the prison system would not be as crowded. Of couse his son is a prosecuting attorney, so that helps make a name for both. I know my grandson should not have received "aggravated" intoxicated manslaughter but, if you don't have the money to fight our corrupt legal system, you lose. I would say, there is a much "HIGHER" judge, their day will come! So I say to all that make these remarks, instead, say a prayer that this never happens to you. May the LORD bless all of you and all the men and women in the Texas prison system.
frances prince
How to we bring this to the forefront again? There's STILL no AC and it STILL gets to sweltering temps. Summer's just around the corner, what can we do NOW to prepare to 'fix' this problem?
I agree with "Patsy"...you NEVER KNOW about the future, someone YOU know, family member....even YOU, may end up in a similar position through no fault of your own, just at the wrong place at the right time. It. Happens. To good people. No-one is immune. To think so...is unrealistic and self-righteous. I used to think that way until I found out an old classmate is incarcerated in a sweltering TX prison. He starts his "90 day count" first day of June and KNOWS he's in for more suffering by a "mean spirited" (thank Dylan) corrupt system. The guards suffer also!!! BUT they can leave at the end of the day plus 'take off' a day (due to heat exhaustion etc.) but inmates of course are 'stuck'. I am so disappointed in our government anyway, this is just one more 'straw' on the camel's.
This travesty also exhibits at lack of progressive thinking. We're baking these folks alive EVERY summer. For what positive purpose? Heat makes people 'on the outside' meaner hence inside a prison....aggressive behavior soars to include towards the guards. Put window units in...air cooler units...something!
I now have no positive regard for Texas and are people aware that "ol' sparky" is proudly displayed at the Huntsville Prison Museum? GROSS!!! Barbaric and talk about poor taste. Psychopaths (or Sheeples) might get off on it. Yick.
Texas sucks.