Everyplace has it’s good and bad people, but you would
expect in a jail to have the staff be all good people. Unfortunately, at
Cumberland County Jail in Portland, ME that is not the case. I know of this
since my mom’s husband is in there on a driving in fraction. Not everyone in
prison after all is a heartless person. If you took the time to get to know
some of them you’d actually be surprised at how many were nice people just
caught up on the wrong side of the tracks who want to be rehabilitated.
The problems at Cumberland County Jail start with some of
the immigrants not being treated as well as their Caucasian counterparts. As
well as seemingly Caucasian inmates getting preferential selection for work
release duty. And, one of the night time med workers calling my step dad a
nigger. Now I admit he did wrong and he is serving time for that. But, he still
deserves respect like any other human being.
After all this worker doesn’t know what he is in for.
And, it is not on the worker to pass judgement on him. Nor on any jail worker
to pass judgement on any inmate. A judge and jury have already done that. And,
the inmate is serving their time where they should be being rehabilitated. Not
harassed or made to feel worse. They should be being brought up and taught
things and made to feel that after their time is served they can live a
productive life out in the world.
They should be made to think this is a time out to
reflect on what they have done and to get back on the right track. Not degraded
and made to feel like they are second class citizens as if they were back
before the Civil Rights Era. All men and women should be treated equally with
respect and dignity even in prison. They should be given opportunity to show
they want to do right and to make themselves better. Or at least start to.
They should be allowed to have a second chance in some
cases with restrictions understandably. But, professionals at jails are meant
to rehabilitate prisoners not just guard and punish. Unfortunately, some think
that is all there is to their job. But, even as my mom
was telling me about the problems my step dad faced she wanted to make sure to
point out the good that was done there as well. Like the one woman who made
sure she could visit him with a coat on the first time despite it not being
normally allowed.
She had made the mistake of wearing a dress that revealed
her shoulders, why shoulders being revealed is such a big deal I have no clue.
But, she asked if she got a coat could she be allowed to visit still. The woman
overseeing visits that night got it so that she could for that one time. So
while there are problems there are some good people there willing to be
compassionate and help people make sure they get to see each other on a regular
basis.
As well as make exceptions when it is the right thing to
do. I think Cumberland County Jail has some work to do as does the whole Prison
System in general. But, working with the community and some rehabilitation
experts it can be done. I’m not saying they haven’t done wrong. I’m just saying
not everyone is a lifetime criminal and maybe it is time we started changing our
attitudes about how we treat people in prison. And that in this case there is
something seriously wrong.
As you can see I am trying to speak softer but still with
the power as before. I find it works better. Feel Free to leave your questions
and comments below. And, if you want my columns to appear in your inbox enter
your email in the box below where it says follow by email. As for me I am back
to doing schoolwork. *Tips his hat and walks out the door. *
great revealing post and it is sad. I hope he gets out soon and better treatment comes soon.
ReplyDelete